At times the rough and tough world of F1 takes its toll on those involved. Commonly referred to as the Piranha club, the dog eat dogs nature of the business has changed little in 75 years.
Most seasons see the usual rows bubbling up as one competitor tries to get one over on another, whether it be team on team or driver on driver, and this year has been no different.
Max Verstappen cruised into the 2024 championship season on the back of an historic campaign where multiple records were tumbling from week to week and following two wins in the first two races this year, it seemed for all the world as the Red Bull/Max bandwagon would roll on to even greater heights.
Seven wins in the first ten races set Verstappen up for what was to become the leanest spells in terms of wins for the Dutchman since an eleven race drought back in 2020. As the pressure mounted, the media scrutiny of Verstappen and Red Bull increased with a narrative beginning to form which saw the world champion as the villain of the peace.
A run in with the FIA in Singapore saw Max refuse to properly answer questions at an approved press event. His punishment of community service from the stewards for using ‘bad language’ was seen by many as making an example out a driver. The FIA gave credence to this notion when Charles Leclerc was given a mere slap on the wrist for using the identical expletive in Mexico City.
Matters came to a head during the first of the two triple head weekends which would form the end of season run in. As Verstappen and Norris battled in Austin, Texas the Dutch driver was heavily criticised for his driving standards.
Whilst Norris received a five second penalty at COTA, next time out is was Max who would be slapped with two ten second penalties. And despite being vilified in the British media for preventing a Norris win, most of Verstappen’s fellow races have since admitted in his situation they’d do the same.
