Unpopular Opinion du Jour

Let The Boys Race: Verstappen’s Monza Penalty a Win for Bureaucrats, Loss for Motorsport Since his Formula One debut at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has produced thrilling drives, amusing team-radio sound bites, and plenty of controversy. That Verstappen delivered in all three of these areas at this past weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, a power-hungry venue that put all Renault-engined competitors on the back foot, should come as no surprise. After jumping Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas on the opening lap, Verstappen kept the Finnish driver at bay with some characteristically tough defending and excellent corner exit speed. After the pair completed their first and only round of pit stops, Bottas was quickly back on the Red Bull’s gearbox. On lap 43, the two came together into Turn 1. Having initially defended the inside line, Verstappen faded back toward the outside under braking, squeezing Bottas’ Mercedes in the process. Wheels touched and Bottas was force