Max Verstappen is disappointed with the first bad day at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Dutchman was far behind Lando Norris in the first two practice sessions at the Hungaroring. He especially caused a stir by throwing away his towel.
“Today was very tough,” Verstappen said after the second practice session in a press release from his team Red Bull Racing. “I felt little grip and balance in the car. It’s hard to say exactly what the problem is. Nothing works. We need to investigate this tonight. It’s not our weekend yet.”
Verstappen was already eight tenths short of Norris in the first practice session, who recorded the fastest time at the Hungaroring. In the second practice session, the difference was even greater. Then Verstappen was more than a second slower than the British McLaren driver, who was once again the fastest driver.
“I am convinced that we can do better, but today was very bad,” Verstappen stated bluntly. “We first need to understand how this is possible. What is causing the major problems with our car?”
Halfway through the second practice session, Verstappen drew attention to himself by throwing his towel out of his car. The Dutchman had to answer to the stewards after the practice session, but he only received a warning.
Verstappen dryly recounted the striking moment in Budapest. “The towel was between my feet, so I drove off the racing line and threw it away. I think the stewards understood that.”