The Singapore Grand Prix is loved by many for being so individual. The race takes place in the darkness of the night. Seeing Formula One cars racing around a track under flood lights is truly a sight to behold. However, the race cars in this lighting were not the only thing that caught my eye. Max Verstappen’s overtaking was incredible.
The rookie only finished in eighth place, but each position he stole was taken with such precision. His manoeuvres resembled the actions of a fox in the night, rapid and instinctive. In the future, I believe Verstappen could be renowned for his passing execution.
I find myself praising the passing of the young driver more often than not. However, his excellence in moving up the positions is not the only reason I have selected him as star driver. For being a mere 17 (and youngest on the grid), the driver can present himself very maturely.
During the race, Verstappen received team orders and was asked to let his teammate, Sainz Jr., pass him. Verstappen swiftly replied with a harsh “No!” down the radio. You may be asking what is mature about disobeying team orders. After the incident, in a post-race interview, Verstappen didn’t offer an apology that he didn’t mean, he didn’t try and justify himself, rather he just explained that he felt he had good pace.
Through the season so far, Verstappen has thrived and with experience, he has become a confident driver. Toro Rosso have crafted a skilled pilot from a young man. Congratulations to Max Verstappen and his team on racing relentlessly!
