Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
Max Verstappen was also asked about Isack Hadjar's claim that he could have won in Singapore driving Ferrari's car. The Dutchman issued a clear verdict.
During the drivers' press conference, the Frenchman said: "I think if you put Max in the Ferrari, he would have won the race with more margin. So that's my opinion. In Singapore, I think it was the fastest car."
Verstappen says this debate is nonsense
"Yeah. I don't know. Fun debate," Verstappen began sarcastically in Austin.
"Yeah, I mean, we're stressing about something that doesn't matter, right? Yeah, he said it. Well, let him say that, right? I mean, you shouldn't always then need to put it forward to the other driver or the other team, like, whatever. Like, you know, you are constantly trying to agitate people with it instead of just letting it be. That's what I normally do. I'm like, whatever. Life goes on. Tomorrow's another day," he explained.
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The Dutchman continued: "They (Ferrari, ed.) were very fast. It was a good qualifying lap. I'm never going to say that it's anything special because it can always be better. But, yeah, I felt good. I mean, I felt with good my car.
"It's impossible for me to know or say how good a Ferrari is because I've not driven that car. So, you know, then that's why these debates are just nonsense."
Photo: Race Pictures
Leclerc disagrees with Hadjar
The Monegasque driver has also shared his verdict on Hadjar's claim. Leclerc commented: "Well, first of all, I think it's nonsense to start saying these kinds of things. Isack has no idea what kind of car we drive, and I have no idea what kind of car he drives."
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Looking ahead to the upcoming race at the Circuit of the Americas, the Ferrari driver added: "I think it's such a tight field that it's very, very difficult for us to predict. Yes, of course, we have an idea of how we will be on this track, but when you are speaking about such fine margins, it relies really on optimizing your package, and that has a much bigger influence than what we expect in terms of cars."
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