Red Bull Racing received a formal warning from the FIA after Max Verstappen caused a stir by throwing a towel out of his car during the Hungarian Grand Prix’s Free Practice 2 session. The incident raised safety concerns on the track, drawing immediate attention from race officials and the F1 community.
At Turn 3, Verstappen deliberately veered off the racing line to remove a white cloth that had been left inside his cockpit. Though he claimed his action was to avoid any potential danger, the stewards examined the unusual behavior closely. Rather than penalizing the team with a fine, the FIA chose to issue just a warning.
Driver Clarifies Intentions Behind the Unexpected Move
Known for keeping composed under pressure, Verstappen explained that the towel was a simple cloth used for wiping his face and had accidentally remained in the car. He emphasized that discarding it was done carefully to prevent any risk to himself or others during driving.
“It was just a towel for wiping my face that was left in the car, and I disposed of it in the safest way possible,”
Verstappen stated calmly.
Verstappen Faces Additional Performance Challenges
Alongside the towels controversy, Verstappen’s on-track performance showed signs of struggle. He expressed frustration with the car, citing issues with grip and balance that hampered his pace. The driver acknowledged the need for improvements to understand and resolve the vehicle’s handling problems moving forward.
Meanwhile, Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda delivered a more promising result by finishing ninth in the practice session, offering Red Bull some encouragement amidst ongoing difficulties.
Potential Impact on Team and Upcoming Races
The FIA’s warning highlights how even minor actions can attract scrutiny in Formula 1’s tightly regulated environment. With Red Bull grappling with both technical challenges and this unexpected controversy, pressure is mounting for Verstappen and the team to regroup quickly and perform strongly in upcoming events.
As the F1 world watches closely, the Verstappen towel incident F1 controversy serves as a reminder of the sport’s high stakes and the delicate balance between driver decisions and race safety.