Breaking:F1 Legend Stunned by Red Bull’s Strategy Call That Cost Verstappen in S…read more
Breaking:F1 Legend Stunned by Red Bull’s Strategy Call That Cost Verstappen in Spain.
Two-time Formula 1 world champion Mika Häkkinen has voiced his astonishment over Red Bull Racing’s questionable strategy involving Max Verstappen during the Spanish Grand Prix — a decision that arguably derailed the reigning champion’s weekend and left him with more controversy than championship points.
The drama unfolded late in the race when a safety car was deployed, prompting Red Bull to pit Verstappen. The only remaining tyre option for the Dutch driver was the hard compound — a tyre the team had previously decided was too slow to be competitive. Despite this, they went ahead with the switch, a move that bewildered many, including Häkkinen.
Once the race restarted, Verstappen struggled to get the hard tyres up to temperature, immediately losing position to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Moments later, the Red Bull driver became embroiled in a heated on-track clash with Mercedes’ George Russell, resulting in a collision that saw Verstappen penalized and frustrated — a weekend lowlight for the championship hopeful.
On the Drive to Wynn podcast, Häkkinen highlighted a revealing moment from Verstappen’s team radio. After exiting the pits, Verstappen had to ask his engineers which tyres had been fitted — a detail Häkkinen found shocking.
“I was very surprised about that question,” said the Finnish racing legend. “Normally, drivers are fully aware of what tyres are being put on. It’s part of their rhythm and preparation during a race.”
Häkkinen criticized the decision, pointing out the known limitations of the hard tyre. “When I saw them putting on hards, I thought, ‘This isn’t going to end well.’ He won’t be able to get them warm, he’ll be sliding all over, and other drivers will pass him easily. It’s going to be painful.”
The call ultimately put Verstappen on the back foot and may have contributed to the tense exchange with Russell, which turned physical on the track. The Red Bull driver later admitted that the frustrating tyre call was a factor in his emotional response, writing on Instagram that it “fuelled his frustration” leading up to the incident.
While some argue that staying out on worn soft tyres may have presented its own risks, it’s clear that Red Bull’s decision raised eyebrows — not only for its tactical implications but for the internal communication breakdown it revealed. In a sport where milliseconds and clarity are everything, this misstep proved costly for both Verstappen and Red Bull.
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