Press reviews about Formula 1
“For once, Verstappen doesn’t drive alone”
October 23, 2023, 10:52 a.m
With the 50th Grand Prix victory of his career, Max Verstappen sets another exclamation mark in an extremely dominant season. The Formula 1 race in Austin is extremely exciting. The international press is full of praise.
Great Britain
“Guardian”: “It was an irony of fate that Max Verstappen was greeted with boos as he stepped onto the podium in this race, in the midst of an outstanding season. It was a shame because he didn’t deserve it. He won his 50th race under Pressure not experienced this year.”
“Telegraph”: “Lewis Hamilton is disqualified. For the seven-time British world champion, it was the most competitive race of the season – and one that he believes he should have won had Mercedes not botched their strategy.”
“Mirror”: “Lewis Hamilton is stripped of the podium because of his illegal Mercedes. Max Verstappen is loudly booed.”
“Sun”: “Lew blew it! Lewis Hamilton is sensationally disqualified from the US Grand Prix because his car fails post-inspection in a major controversy.”
“Daily Mail”: “At the beginning of the US Grand Prix, there was a point at which Lewis Hamilton dared to dream that he could finally win after 686 days of waiting. (…) It didn’t matter that Verstappen started sixth – he and his team Bull colleagues made all the right decisions. They always do.”
Spain
“Marca”: “Max Verstappen took victory at the US Grand Prix after a comeback from sixth on the grid, a calm and controlled improvement throughout the race and a triumph from a mature driver. He controlled Lewis Hamilton’s attack, which was more frothy than real ( …).”
“Mundo Sports”: “Verstappen was surprised in the fight for pole on Friday by the high speed (…) of Leclerc, Norris or Hamilton and his mistake at the crucial moment. (…) But the more laps passed, the bigger Max became. And won.”
France
“L’Equipe”: “Verstappen, royal 15th. As a three-time world champion, he is the man who wins (almost) every Sunday. Even if he starts from further back.”
Italy
“Gazzetta dello Sport”: “For once, Verstappen doesn’t drive alone, but with his opponents and has fun doing it. Lots of praise for Lewis Hamilton, who is once again proving to be a great driver.”
“Corriere dello Sport”: “50 times Verstappen. The Dutchman is truly invincible. Red Bull didn’t dominate the race and suffered due to brake problems, but Verstappen held his own against a solid Mercedes team and McLaren.”
“Tuttosport”: “Verstappen celebrates a new success without much effort. Charles Leclerc collapses in the final phase. Another disappointment for him.”
“La Republic”: “When racing in the USA, Verstappen will also need patience and resilience to keep the upper hand in the hot and windy rodeo in Austin.”
“Corriere della Sera”: “Leclerc’s big chance doesn’t even last 100 meters. While Verstappen needs half a race to take the lead of the race again and secure his 50th career victory. The victory is not as easily won as it was last time.”
Netherlands
“De Telegraaf”: “Despite problems, Max Verstappen becomes the big man in the Lone Star State.”
“AD.nl”: “The 15th victory this year and the 50th of his career underline that Max Verstappen will be in the all-time best lists for a long time.”
Austria
“Kronen Zeitung”: “For the Dutchman Verstappen, it was the 15th Grand Prix victory this year. Only he had won that many races in one season before, that was last year. Only four grandmasters currently have more victories than the 26-year-old Formula 1 accomplished. Hamilton (103) is ahead of Michael Schumacher (91), Sebastian Vettel (53) and Alain Prost (51) in the all-time best list. It was Verstappen’s third Austin victory en suite.”
Switzerland
“View”: “Normally Max Verstappen dominates his competition at will, but in Austin (USA) it is more exciting than usual. Responsible for this: the good performances of Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris. Both initially seem to be relying on a one-stop strategy. This suspicion turns out to be true But it’s wrong – the Brits ultimately have to pit twice. So Verstappen’s Red Bull strategy works in the end (…).”