Wheatley on magical moment with Verstappen: 'I still get goosebumps'

Last weekend, Verstappen participated in his 200th Grand Prix for Red Bull Racing. The Dutchman is the first driver to ever achieve this mlestonei at the Austrian team. It turned out not to be a celebratory weekend, as the four-time world champion had to settle for an eighth place in qualifying and a ninth place in the race.

Looking back, Wheatley spoke about his time with Verstappen at Red Bull Racing. The Brit had previously worked with father Jos. According to the team principal of Sauber, it was as if the circle was complete and at the same time the beginning of a fairy tale.

Then, Wheatley commented on beautiful moments with Verstappen. The former sporting director of Red Bull Racing mentioned the first victory of the four-time world champion in Spain and the race in Brazil in 2016.

Then Wheatley said: "Austria 2018 springs to mind now. We opted for a double stop, which turned out great and Max won. We were all in lederhosen at the pit wall. And thus I stood on the podium, in front of all those Dutch fans. It was a wonderful experience. Just like his first world title in Abu Dhabi, in 2021, of course. The first time I ever sat in a championship battle and thought: 'We are going to lose this'. "

Finally, Sauber's team principal discussed all the chaos that occurred in Abu Dhabi 2021: "That was such an intense period. The emotion I felt when Max crossed the line first is indescribable. I still get goosebumps now. Mercedes later filed a double protest. I entered the room and they even had a lawyer with them. Fortunately, we were proven right and we could make the team cheer again. There's so much passion among the people, they sacrifice so much. If they then collaborate with someone like Max, they think: 'this feels like the right thing to do'."