Max Verstappen reveals Sebastian Vettel text as another ex-star applies for comeback – F1 news round-up

Jamie Woodhouse 26 Aug 2023 11:00 PM

Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel graphic.

Qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix is in the books, an action-packed Saturday which delivered plenty of key talking points.

With Max Verstappen in prime position to equal Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine consecutive wins, the Dutchman revealed a text from the four-time World Champion which came while he was piecing this streak together, while another ex-Red Bull racer in David Coulthard jokingly applied to fill a Daniel Ricciardo-shaped vacancy.

Let us then dive into the action…

Additional reporting by Sam Cooper

Max Verstappen spills the beans on Sebastian Vettel text

Verstappen站在悬崖的nine wins in a row, that record he aims to equal is currently held by another driver who knows exactly what it is like to win nine in a row with Red Bull, the one and only Sebastian Vettel.

But, as it turns out, Vettel had been in touch with Verstappen well before this point to tell him he would re-write the F1 history books.

“I think after like five wins in a row he texted me saying ‘well done with what you’re doing at the moment, keep it up and you’re going to do it’ or something like that,” he told media including PlanetF1.com.

Christian Horner’s hilarious response to David Coulthard

After Ricciardo was sadly ruled out of the Dutch Grand Prix due to a fractured hand suffered in an FP2 crash, Coulthard attempted to bring some light to the situation with a jovial application to take the Aussie’s seat at AlphaTauri, his existing relationship and the fact he scored Red Bull’s first podium among the selling points.

Red Bull team boss Horner then had the chance to respond to this light-hearted application, with Red Bull reserve Liam Lawson having got the nod to take Ricciardo’s place.

“Thank you for your application and despite the significant amount of crash damage at numerous races you created, we might now need a reserve and as the silver fox of the paddock, you would at least make Fernando Alonso feel young again,” Horner replied.

Christian Horner picks out possible Daniel Ricciardo comeback race

Lawson may yet get another shot at the very least behind the wheel of the AlphaTauri AT04 beyond the Dutch GP, with Ricciardo sadly facing an extended lay-off.

And while Horner cannot accurately say how long Ricciardo will be on the shelf, he feels the Aussie will have the Singapore Grand Prix, taking place on September 17, in mind for his return.

“I’m sure at the back of his mind, he’s probably got Singapore as a target,” Horner told Sky F1.

“But, then again, Singapore is probably one of the most physical circuits on the calendar but nature will take its course!”

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Christian Horner has say on Charles Leclerc Red Bull claim

Ricciardo ultimately is trying to force his way back into the Red Bull driver line-up, a position which most drivers in the grid would love to have considering how the team have dominated F1 2023 with a perfect record of 12 wins from 12.

But, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has predicted that the Red Bull dominance may stretch far beyond this season, instead all the way until the regulations are reset in 2026.

It is safe to say that Horner would love him to be right!

“I hope he’s right!” Horner exclusively told PlanetF1.com. “But nobody’s got a crystal ball and things move very quickly in this business.”

Yuki Tsunoda should probably hide from Toto Wolff

It was a very disappointing Dutch GP qualifying for Lewis Hamilton who fell at the Q2 hurdle, leaving him with a P13 grid slot.

Mercedes boss Wolff very much pointed the finger at AlphaTauri driver Tsunoda for that, the Japanese racer hit with a three-place grid drop following qualifying for impeding Hamilton in that Q2 session.

“The impeding is just a disaster in Q2 and I think on this quickest lap, he was impeded by Tsunoda going into the final straight and that cost the position,” Wolff told Sky F1.