'Why Verstappen was booed after the win is incomprehensible to me'

F1 News

timo glock on max verstappen and lewis hamilton
25 October 2023 at 07:00
Last update 25 October 2023 at 08:35
  • GPblog.com

It wasn't a display of good sportsmanship. While Max Verstappen was being honoured on the podium in Austin for his victory in the US Grand Prix, he was booed by part of the crowd. Incidentally, the local media also reported that the whistling and booing was meant for Greg Abbott, who handed the trophy to Verstappen. But if the booing was meant for Verstappen after all, Timo Glock thinks that is a very bad thing.

In his column on the Sky Sports website, the ex-Formula1 driver from Germany wrote that he found it "incomprehensible" than the now three-time world champion was booed. "Maybe the issue between Sergio Perez and Red Bull is behind this, but Verstappen has nothing to do with that. Therefore, I cannot understand it at all. This is a shame for the sport, because Verstappen is an exceptional athlete who has put in an incredible performance this year. In my opinion, that's an absolute no-go, you shouldn't do that."

Glock lenient on Mercedes and Ferrari after disqualification

Also on that same podium was Lewis Hamilton. At the time, so soon after the race, the Briton was still under the impression he had finished second. Only much later in the day did he learn he had been disqualified because his floor was illegal. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc suffered the same fate. Glock does not particularly care that the two drivers were removed from the results. "This is what can happen when you push the limits. Too bad for Mercedes and Ferrari, but perhaps most annoying for Lewis Hamilton, looking at his battle with Sergio Perez."

At least for Mercedes, Glock was encouraged that the update (especially on the floor) had not missed its mark. According to the German, Mercedes has finally grasped the direction the team needs to take in terms of development. "At Mercedes, they have learned enough to make a car for next year that is equivalent to Red Bull from day one, and I am very excited about that," he said. Although it is also clear that Red Bull and all the other teams are also developing. So it's always difficult when you fall behind."