A somewhat contrite and possibly even cowed Max Verstappen may have been expected to emerge in the paddock for this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix. The young Dutchman’s poor start to the season reached its nadir when he crashed into his Red Bull team-mate, Daniel Ricciardo, at the last round in Baku, but Verstappen faced down the scrutiny with a smile at the Circuit de Catalunya. However, if he is to make good on the promise of his prodigious talent, there is some serious work to be done.
Verstappen and Ricciardo had been wheel to wheel for much of the race in Azerbaijan until the pair clashed on lap 40 as the Australian attempted to pass. The stewards deemed both were to blame, a view with which the team and drivers concurred. Verstappen had moved twice in the braking area but the gap Ricciardo went for was not there.
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