TAKING IT TO THE MAX
R
ed Bull’s Max Verstappen was down on power
due to an engine problem during qualifying at
the Chinese Grand Prix and finished next to
last – an uncharacteristically lowly starting place for
one of Formula 1’s most exciting young drivers.
No matter. Verstappen made up most of the
ground in the opening lap of Sunday’s race – passing
a remarkable nine cars – and earned an unlikely spot
on the podium with a gutsy third-place finish.
“That was a very special race,” the 19-year-old
Dutch driver said afterward, a huge grin plastered
on his face. “When I woke up this morning I never
expected to be on the podium.”
Of course, it was entirely possible given how
well the talented Verstappen has been driving since
making a huge splash at last year’s Spanish Grand
Prix, which he won in his first start for Red Bull after
being promoted from feeder team Toro Rosso.
Since then, Verstappen has had seven podium
finishes and established himself as a future star of
the sport, eclipsing at times his more experienced
teammate, Daniel Ricciardo.
His maneuvers on Sunday impressed even
three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who
led from start to finish to claim his fifth victory in
Shanghai.
“I quite like him up here next to us – makes me
look younger,” Hamilton said. “Max has obviously
done a fantastic job since he’s been in the sport
and I think he’s been a real breath of fresh air for
everyone.”
Verstappen got a little lucky Sunday when three
drivers who finished ahead of him in qualifying
were penalized, lifting the Dutchman to 16th on the
starting grid. Then, during a wild opening lap on a
slick track, he found enough holes to vault all the
way up to seventh.