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Boy Wonder Max Verstappen Blatantly Goes Against Red Bull Boss Christian Horner to Stand Up for Lewis Hamilton: “We Should Be Allowed”

Published 02/04/2023, 9:00 AM EST

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via Getty

Every team effort requires synergy and needs to hold a united front to achieve anything significant. Formula 1 is no exception and a prime example of that is the constructors’ championship. However, despite winning the 2022 constructors’ championship, Red Bull is a divided front. Max Verstappen showcased that with his latest comments at the RB19 unveiling. The Dutchman spoke against his team boss, Christian Horner, surprisingly siding with Lewis Hamilton.

As we are all aware, the FIA doubled down on a ruling banning drivers from speaking their minds, unless approved. This new ruling for the 2023 season has sparked a lot of outrage among the fans and become a highly debatable topic. When asked about the ruling during the unveiling of RB19 by Sky Sports F1, Verstappen had his say.

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He said, “I’m normally not that outspoken. — But I don’t think it is necessary because in a way basically, you are making sure that people are not allowed to speak anymore which I think should be allowed. – It was probably a bit unnecessary!”

Verstappen’s comments are surprisingly siding with his main rival Lewis Hamilton but not with his team principal. During the same Red Bull event, Christian Horner made his thoughts known about the new ruling as well, as quoted by the BBC.

He said sport, “should never be used as a political tool” and added, “You have that element of escapism within it.”

In Addition to Controversial Political Gag on F1 Drivers, FIA Tightens the Leash on “Misconduct” With New Rule

The British team principal is not siding nor opposing the idea with a politically correct statement, so to speak. This is a rare moment of Red Bull speaking up regarding a topic, but not in unison.

Not just Verstappen, Sergio Perez also spoke up about the topic. Do you want to guess what direction he took?

Sergio Perez speaks up against the FIA ruling siding with teammate Max Verstappen

We are aware of the drama between Verstappen and Perez after the Brazil GP. However, that did not come in the way of the two Red Bull pilots agreeing on the unnecessary aspect of the new FIA ruling.

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via Reuters

Speaking to the media, Perez said, “We want to be ourselves and we want to be able to express ourselves in any way that we want. I believe in this sport it is important to express yourself. That to me is not correct. But we will discuss that.”

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Like many others, Perez also clearly disagrees with the FIA’s need to make the sport apolitical.

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WATCH THIS STORY: Timeline of the Controversial F1 Jewelry Ban Causing Lewis Hamilton to Face-Off With the FIA

The protests from the drivers might get a rare win over a rule against the FIA because, for once, all drivers are on the same page about an issue. The 2023 season already has controversy brewing up!

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Written by:

Mahim Suhalka

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Mahim Suhalka is an F1 Author at EssentiallySports. This Sports Management post-graduate is an ardent supporter of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team and their lead driver, Lewis Hamilton. The fact that Lewis dominated one of the most expensive sports in the world for all these years, despite his humble beginnings, has been a huge inspiration for Mahim and has made him a tenured fan of the competitive sport itself.
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Edited by:

Varunkumaar Chelladurai