Red Bull may be struggling but Max Verstappen arrived in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix paddock for media day on Thursday and the FIA press conference in a mischievous mood
Max Verstappen leapt at the opportunity to have some fun after finding a mobile phone lost by one of his Formula 1 rivals. The Dutchman’s cheeky act happened on Thursday as he arrived for the official FIA press conference before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend.
Verstappen was in the second group of drivers scheduled to make an appearance alongside Fernando Alonso and Isack Hadjar. They arrived for their section after the first group, consisting of Alex Albon, Gabriel Bortoleto and Oliver Bearman, had left.
But Albon left behind one key item – his phone. And by the time the Williams racer realised it was absent, Verstappen had already taken full advantage of the chance to have a bit of fun at his former team-mate’s expense.
The Red Bull star was seen picking up the phone and posing for selfies with Alonso and Hadjar. That was until Albon re-entered the room to retrieve it, to find some unexpected new images in his camera roll.
READ MORE: Carlos Sainz voices concern as F1 rival unexpectedly switches to ‘other league’READ MORE: Ted Kravitz shares what he’s heard about F1 team’s plans to replace struggling driver
The fun moment offered some levity at a time when there is little to laugh about at Red Bull. Team bosses held crisis talks after last weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix over their lack of competitiveness with Verstappen unable to manage any better than sixth place.
And clearly there are tensions within the camp as Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, was observed by Sky Sports F1 pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz entering the Red Bull garage shortly after the conclusion of the race to give a piece of his mind to team adviser Helmut Marko, with whom the Dutchman has a close relationship.
Sky Sports launches discounted Formula 1 package
£43
£35
Sky
Get Sky Sports here
Formula 1 fans can watch every practice, qualifying and race live with Sky’s new Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in a new deal that saves £192.
As well as Sky Sports access, this includes more than 100 TV channels and free subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
But Red Bull will hope to get back on track in Saudi Arabia this weekend. The team is expected to introduce its first significant upgrades package of the season and everyone at their Milton Keynes factory will have their fingers crossed that it will help them to compete for better results.
Like other teams, Red Bull are expected to make changes to their wings to suit the high-speed Jeddah Corniche Circuit. But, more than that, upgrades are expected to the floor of the car to improve the aerodynamic efficiency underneath.
There are also set to be improvements to the fluid systems within the car and also changes to its weight distribution. Red Bull chiefs hope the upgrades will help to give Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda a more balanced car to drive.
It is the first of a three-part upgrade to the car being introduced over several race weekends. The next batch of changes is expected at the Miami Grand Prix on the first weekend of May, before it is completed with the final touches being brought to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola two weeks later.
