Fans Left in Disbelief by Verstappen’s Bold Move at Belgian Grand Prix

LINK VIDEO: https://www.sportbible.com/f1/max-verstappen-belgian-grand-prix-306618-20240801

Fans have been left in disbelief after witnessing Max Verstappen’s bold move during the Belgian Grand Prix. The 80th edition of this iconic race, held at Spa-Francorchamps last weekend, provided a dramatic spectacle as reigning Formula 1 world champion Verstappen turned heads with his audacious actions on the track.

Starting from 11th place due to a grid penalty from an engine change, the Red Bull superstar faced an uphill battle. Nevertheless, Verstappen showcased his exceptional skill and determination, managing to climb his way up to fifth place. His efforts were further rewarded when he finished fourth after George Russell, the initial winner, was disqualified for having an underweight car.

In a thrilling new onboard footage from Verstappen’s car, the 26-year-old is seen cheekily waving at Fernando Alonso as he passed him at high speed during the early parts of the race. The footage, which has since gone viral, captures Verstappen traveling at a blistering speed of 335 km/h when he waved goodbye to Alonso, leaving fans and commentators stunned.

The incident has sparked widespread discussion, highlighting the competitive spirit and playful nature of Verstappen. This cheeky wave is emblematic of Verstappen’s confidence and comfort on the track, even when navigating the intense pressures of high-speed racing.

Earlier this year, Alonso spoke about the similarities between himself and Verstappen in a DAZN documentary, as reported by Planet F1. Alonso remarked, “Verstappen was maybe a bit crazier in his early days and had some incidents and some problems, but now he is a very decent driver on the track. Off the track, I see a lot of similarities between him and me. We have the same interests, we love racing. We like the sport more than the show.”

Alonso further elaborated, “We go to the track in the team’s clothes, race on Saturday and on Sunday we go home. And when we have some free time, we go racing. We like simple things and racing. That is what I like most about Max and despite his world titles, he has not changed in that [respect].”

Verstappen’s respect for Alonso is mutual. He has named Alonso as one of his top five greatest F1 drivers of all time. Verstappen stated, “I think Fernando always shows himself as he is, which is something I admire a lot. Despite the success he has had, he is still a normal, nice guy. He was also the first Spaniard to be successful in Formula 1 and become World Champion. I have a lot of respect for him.”

This interaction between Verstappen and Alonso adds a rich layer to the narrative of contemporary Formula 1 racing, blending fierce competition with mutual respect and camaraderie. The Belgian Grand Prix, once again, proved to be a platform for showcasing the skill, sportsmanship, and personalities that make Formula 1 such a captivating sport.

Featured Image Credit: Formula 1