The remarkable rescue by Max Verstappen during the Miami GP is still a topic of discussion several days later. The former champion lost control in the second corner while racing side by side with Charles Leclerc – a rare mistake, according to Martin Brundle. However, the commentator was impressed by how Verstappen managed to limit the time loss with a skillful 360. This contradicts colleague Montoya, who dismissed the action as ‘pure luck’.
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“On a bone-dry track, Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari would have come out of the first corner side by side with Max Verstappen, despite polesitter Antonelli having a decent start this time,” said Brundle in an analysis for Sky Sports. “Verstappen, who was squeezed by Leclerc in corner two, gave too much throttle and spun – an unusual mistake. No wonder he hurriedly apologized to the team over the radio.”
Brilliant move
Although the Limburg driver fell far back, Brundle was impressed by his rescue. “Even before he started that impressive overtaking race, we already saw how brilliant he was,” said the Brit. “He skillfully used the throttle, brakes, and steering to perform a full 360, after which he neatly positioned the car back on the track and somehow still managed to maintain speed.”
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“I can’t tell you how difficult that is in these big F1 cars full of fuel, right in the middle of the fight,” praised Brundle Verstappen’s driving skill. “This significantly minimized the chance of a collision and ensured that he was in ninth place at the end of the lap.” Verstappen then fought his way further forward, helped by an early pit stop during a safety car situation. Not everyone agrees with Brundle’s analysis, however. Juan Pablo Montoya once again drew the ire of Verstappen fans by dismissing the action as ‘pure luck’.
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