F1 is no stranger to drama, and the recent Canadian Grand Prix provided another intriguing chapter. Red Bull Racing faced scrutiny after instructing Sergio Perez to continue racing despite severe damage to his car. F1 commentator Will Buxton didn’t hold back in expressing his views on the matter.
Will Buxton compared the RB call yesterday(one where Perez was requested to pit instead of parking it) the second version of Singapore 08, and then deleted the post
How is a respectable journalist like himself allowed to say something like that without consequences is beyond me pic.twitter.com/nIDNpM52c3
— Cytrus 🍋 (@cytrusf1) June 10, 2024
Will Buxton, a respected journalist and commentator, minced no words. He criticized the penalties handed to Red Bull, deeming them insufficient. Buxton argued that knowingly breaking the rules to avoid a safety car—endangering other drivers in the process—warranted more severe consequences. His comparison to the infamous “Crashgate” incident from the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix added weight to his argument.
The 2008 F1 Incident and Red Bull’s Risky Call
During the Canadian Grand Prix, Sergio Perez suffered a damaged rear wing in a collision. Instead of retiring the car, Red Bull instructed him to keep racing. Their motive was clear: avoid a safety car deployment that could jeopardize Max Verstappen’s chances of victory. The team’s directive raised eyebrows, especially considering the safety implications.
For context, “Crashgate” involved Renault F1 deliberately causing a crash during the Singapore Grand Prix to benefit their driver, Fernando Alonso. The team orchestrated Nelson Piquet Jr.’s crash, leading to a safety car deployment that ultimately helped Alonso secure victory. The scandal rocked the F1 world and resulted in severe penalties for Renault.
Buxton’s frustration stems from the perceived leniency towards Red Bull. He believes that the team’s actions endangered not only Perez but also other drivers on the track. The consequences—a three-place grid penalty for Perez and a €25,000 fine for Red Bull—didn’t satisfy Buxton. He called for stricter measures to deter similar incidents in the future.
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