The newly introduced Sprint format failed to impress Max Verstappen by a distance as the two-time world champion called for a shutdown. Speaking after the Sprint conclusion at Azerbaijan GP, the Dutchman made his opinion clear that he wants the governing authority to “scrap” the event once and for all.
Verstappen, known for his dislike towards the Sprint format as a whole, has slammed the new introduction once again by calling it “artificial.” This comes right after the Red Bull star called the Sprint Shootout “terrible“, following the conclusion of the SQ.
Max Verstappen’s verdict on F1’s new format: “Scrap the whole thing.”
— Philip Duncan (@PhilDuncanF1) April 29, 2023
But this time, the 25-year-old wants the entire event to be gone from Formula 1. According to Philip Duncan, a journalist at PA Media, the Dutchman asserted, “Scrap the whole thing.”
The defending champion has been the leading voice against the introduction of Sprint and the new Sprint Shootout. As F1 has doubled the number of Sprint this season, as well as inducted the new Sprint Shootout, there’s nobody else who’s as unhappy as Max Verstappen.
Verstappen didn’t like the “artificial” Sprint and Sprint Shootout
The Dutchman made his frustration clear as he opened up in the post-Sprint race press conference. Referring to the newly introduced event, Verstappen said as per Junaid Samodien that it’s important to go back to the “old thing.”
The 25-year-old also emphasized how the teams used to put everything on the line for one qualification and one main race earlier in race weekends. But now, it all looks “artificial” to him.
Max Verstappen in the press conference: Just scrap the whole thing. It’s important to go back to the old thing. It’s important that all teams can fight for the win. That is what we should fight for then introduce these artificial things.
— Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) April 29, 2023
Furthermore, the Red Bull star also mentioned his state of mind in qualification today. He said that he got bored and didn’t really enjoy the new event after doing the same type of qualification on Saturday, which was similar to Friday.
Verstappen called Russell a “d*ckhead”
Following the conclusion of the Azerbaijan GP Sprint, the Red Bull ace confronted George Russell. The move has come after the duo tangled with each other on Lap 1, which left significant bodywork damage on the RB-19.
As the Sprint race concluded, the Dutchman approached Russell to talk about ‘space.’ As the duo talked, the Mercedes star informed that he didn’t have a grip and that was the reason his W14 went so deep despite being on the inside line.
Hearing this, the former Toro Rosso man threatened the Mercedes driver of using the same method in the future. As Russell began to walk off, Verstappen looked at him and called him a “d*ckhead.”
