Formula 1 has come a long way in terms of technology over the years, which indeed helps it to stand tall as one of the elite motorsport series in the entire world. However, the sport’s poor luck with a mere ‘pen’ continues, as Max Verstappen found out.

F1 and faulty pens: A never-ending hate story

Verstappen clinched the pole against a defiant Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi. The Dutchman was all smiles, as he celebrated his pole position amidst a roar of cheer from the grandstand of Yas Marina. Then arrived the interviews in the parc ferme after, which Verstappen walked towards the cooldown area to sign the pole-sitter’s award, the Pirelli tire.

However, he just couldn’t get his signature imprinted on the tire despite attempting to sign twice. After trying to sign on the tire, the Dutchman also tried to get the ink out by tapping the pen in the air and even on the table, but in vain.

Finally, he reached out to one of the FIA officials that were around and, with a chuckle, he said, “It’s not working“. Subsequently, the Dutchman received a new pen, and bam! It worked.

This isn’t necessarily the first time the pen failed to work while the pole-sitter attempted to sign the Pirelli tire. Hamilton, too, had to face a similar issue a couple of race weekends back.

Of course, this doesn’t mean Verstappen isn’t the pole-sitter, but, a pen failing to work; a bad sign of what’s to come, maybe? Well, we hope a pen doesn’t get to decide who wins the championship.

Can Max Verstappen clinch the title in Abu Dhabi?

We wish the conditions were easier to predict, but it’s not; the biggest reason is the contrasting strategies both Hamilton and Verstappen are on. While the former will start on the medium tires, the latter will start on the softest compound.

Hence, it is likely that Verstappen will be pitting first on Sunday, but who knows? With the temperature dipping amidst the sunset, Verstappen will have to fight through an initial window of laps after which the cooler track temperatures might help the Dutchman hold off his soft tires much longer.

So, will Verstappen manage to deliver a perfect race on Sunday to become the 34th distinct Formula 1 world champion? We’ll know soon enough!

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