F1: Top 5 crashes of Max Verstappen with Vettel, Ricciardo and more

Max Verstappen is undoubtedly a future champion in making in the F1 arena. Verstappen became the youngest driver to race in a World Championship at the age of 17 years, which made the FIA raise the age limit to 18 years from 2016 season. The up and rising Dutchman has been involved in a number of crashes in his three years than any other driver’s entire F1 career.

Here are five top crashes involving Max Verstappen in Formula 1.

#5 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, 2018

The momentum of the race was well maintained until the 40th lap when the Red Bull teammates Ricciardo and Verstappen, running 5th and 4th places respectively collided into each other, which lead to the retirement of both and cost Red Bull Racing a potential podium finish rather a win. Verstappen moved ahead of Ricciardo during a tire change pit stop. Verstappen tried to defend Ricciardo who failed to brake and ended up crashing into his teammate. The momentum being carried by Ricciardo not only pushed his teammate out of track but also his own car. This collision called in for the intervention of Safety car which bunched the drivers together for almost 7 laps as there was another accident involving Grosjean during the safety car period.

FIA officially reprimanded both the drivers for this crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku. This collision has a lot of similarity with the crash during 2010 Turkish GP where Red Bull’s then-teammates Webber and Vettel collided each other, forcing Vettel to retire with a tire puncture while Webber managed a 3rd place finish. Despite the similarity, team’s boss Christian Horner was totally unhappy with this 40th lap crash and stated it to be an unacceptable act. Having already informed via team radio to give room for each other, the teammates continued to bang wheels in an intense fraught race long duel which ended up in an unnecessary collision. He felt that it was the culmination of two highly paid individuals taking things into their own hands. “They are both in the doghouse and they will apologize to all of the staff before Barcelona.” proclaimed the disappointed Team Principal.

Video onboard Max and Daniel Baku Crash

#4 Monaco Grand Prix, 2015

Verstappen collides at the rear of Grosjean's Lotus in Monaco Grand Prix 2015

For the first time in F1 history, a virtual Safety car was used during 2015 Monaco GP, when Max Verstappen who was back then driving for Toro Rosso, rammed into the barriers after crashing at the back of Lotus driver Romain Grosjean. In the process of overtaking Grosjean by lap 59, the Dutchman ended up clipping on to the rear of Lotus at the Sainte Devote corner and then got carried away by G-force crashing the nose-first into barriers.

Drivers played the blame game, the 17-year-old Verstappen felt Grosjean had applied brakes quite earlier than it was required which left him with no options as it was too late. While Grosjean complained that Verstappen wasn’t aware of the braking point and suggested that it is hard to overtake at Monaco. This crash earned Max Verstappen a five-place grid penalty for the following race in Canada GP. Stewards also felt it was Verstappen’s fault for the collision, also handed two penalty points on his license.

Video post crash interview

#3 Belgian Grand Prix, 2016

Verstappen involved in a crash alongside Raikkonen and Vettel in Belgian Grand Prix 2016

“Maybe it needs an accident before it makes it more clear to everybody” this is what Kimi Raikkonen said after the Verstappen’s encounter with the Ferraris during the Belgian GP 2016. At the right turn before Eau Rouge stream, Raikkonen was trying to overtake pushing Verstappen inside at the corner, while Vettel was trying to turn in on both of them which further squeezed Verstappen to the corner leading to a damaged front wing. This incident also caused a damage to Verstappen’s machine making him finish the race 11th after starting at 2nd on the grid.

The youngster infuriated with the result went as far as to say that the Ferrari men should be ashamed of themselves for their conduct. Raikkonen was caught furious in the team radio right after this crash, finishing the race at 9th spot, complained that Verstappen took the turn only after he made the first move locking the fin and thus he had to apply brakes from full throttle ensuring there isn’t any bigger accident. While Vettel wasn’t scathing on Verstappen unlike his fellow teammate, felt that Verstappen wasn’t provided room to make that corner.

Video Verstappen vs Raikkonen Spa

#2 Austrian Grand Prix, 2017

Max Verstappen crashes out at turn one in Austrian Grand Prix 2017

Austrian GP 2017 saw a dramatic start, in the very first turn of lap 1 right after the lights out. Max Verstappen’s Red Bull taking the wide turn was hit at the rear by the McLaren of Alonso which was already forced into a spin by the Toro Rosso of Daniil Kvyat. This crash put both Verstappen and Alonso out of the race at turn one after Kvyat shunted right at the start. Kvyat after overtaking his teammate Carlos Sainz off the start was a bit late to apply brakes and went on to slam Alonso at the rear which indirectly crashed out Verstappen as well.

Max Verstappen felt that the clutch problem was also an issue for the race coming to an end even before it started. While for Alonso this early retirement marked his 7th non-finish of the season, convinced the incident to be out of hands. Daniil Kvyat was handed with a drive-through penalty for triggering the crash, which was the reason for two drivers' early retirements.

Video Austria 2017 Start

#1 Monaco Grand Prix, 2016 & 2018

Max Verstappen crashes at 2018 Monaco Grand Prix similar to his 2016 crash

Monte Carlo has been haunting the Dutchman consistently, 4 races and 4 crashes. During 2016 Monaco GP at the 34th lap virtual safety car was called to intervene the race till 37th lap as Verstappen rammed his car into the swimming pool chicane barrier after locking up his tires. To add to the Dutchman’s torments, sixth consecutive crash in 2018 season happened during the third practice. Opting for an extra one last run in third practice he crashed his Red Bull into the same swimming pool chicane. The impact broke the steering and propelled him into the steel barriers.

This misjudgment was almost an exact replica of his crash during the 2016 season, right at the same 16th turn where his car wobbled and slammed into the same steel barriers after clipping the inside wall. Team Principal Horner who is undoubtedly disappointed seeing his Grand Prix winning machine getting crashed sixth time in a row has prompted him to urge Verstappen to take more care in the upcoming races.

Despite these usual inexperienced mistakes from the upcoming superstar, Max Verstappen seems to be an untouchable property who has just recently signed an extended contract with the Red Bull for 3 years.