The storm is brewing around Formula 1 leader Max Verstappen.
He is being penalized ten positions ahead of this weekend's F1 race in Belgium due to an engine change.
Additionally, he is receiving criticism from Lewis Hamilton for his behavior and from his team management, who think he is playing car simulator too late at night.
After a dream start to this year's F1 series, with seven wins in the first ten races, things have been tougher for the Dutchman. His car is going slower and slower.
Therefore, his car was equipped with a new engine ahead of this weekend's F1 race in Belgium. For this, he is being penalized, according to the International Motorsport Federation (FIA), by being moved back ten positions in the starting grid, regardless of how he performs in qualifying. He can at best get starting position eleven.
Max Verstappen is also receiving strong criticism for his behavior towards his own team – from competitor Lewis Hamilton:
In connection with the previous F1 race in Hungary, Max Verstappen received an order from the team management to give way to Lando Norris. Something he did not appreciate.
Angry response
When he later received an order to calm down to save the tires on the car, Verstappen became very angry and responded over the radio:
"Don't talk crap. You gave me this damn crap strategy. I'm trying to save what's going to hell."
Towards the end of the race, Max Verstappen also collided with Lewis Hamilton.
This behavior is not appreciated by Lewis Hamilton:
One should remember that one is a member of a team. There are many people around you and you must act like a world champion. He didn't do that last weekend, says Hamilton according to Sky Sports.
Late screen time
The Telegraph writes that Max Verstappen's bad mood is due to him playing car simulator in front of a TV screen until 3 am the night before the race, which has made his team management critical.
With eleven races remaining, Verstappen leads the Formula 1 overall with 76 points ahead of Lando Norris.
