International media: 'Unsportsmanlike Verstappen beaten on all counts'

The international media has enjoyed the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The newspapers around the world are surprised about the fact that Red Bull Racing was openly negotiating with the FIA about Max Verstappen's starting position at the restart. They also see a "War" between the top two teams continuing. 

'War between Red Bull and Mercedes'

"War for the world title in the desert," says the headline in the Bild on Monday morning. The German medium saw Verstappen and co. getting very lucky with Mick Schumacher's crash. "What looks like a strategy error turns into a coup: because the wall needs repair, there is a red flag after initially waving yellow. Mick accidentally gives Verstappen a free pit stop."

According to the newspaper, the most striking thing was that Red Bull was negotiating with FIA race director Michael Masi about the situation of Verstappen. Bild calls this 'crazy'. The Dutchman was not punished for 'leaving the track and gaining an advantage', but he dropped to P3 on the starting grid. Verstappen didn't care though, as he took the lead on mediums at the second restart.

Verstappen very unsporting in Jeddah'.

The Spanish Marca believes Hamilton is the deserved winner of the spectacle at the Jeddah circuit. "The peerless Hamilton secured his eighth victory of the year by beating Verstappen in all aspects: in talent, in speed and above all by evading the far-reaching unsportsmanlikeness that the Dutchman exhibited in this duel."

Furthermore, the newspaper mainly zooms in on Verstappen's unsportsmanlike conduct. "Max cut off Turn 1 twice to avoid being overtaken and later also performed a brake test. This is starting to take on dramatic proportions. He went on the brakes in a place where it wasn't necessary or desirable." Verstappen therefore gets a 0 on his report, Hamilton a 10.

Verstappen-Hamilton great classic'

Italy's biggest sports newspaper enjoyed the penultimate Grand Prix of 2021: "The episode in Jeddah: challenges at 300 km/h, collisions and controversy, poison and overtaking, the Verstappen-Hamilton rivalry is already a great classic."

La Gazzetta Dello Sport Does not otherwise choose sides in the duel between the two teams. "In the best tradition of a world championship that gives us surprises and reverses every race, the Red Bull ace still managed to make life difficult for King Lewis. Red flags, restarts, collisions. This isn't finished. It's a very exciting world championship, which will be decided at the final race in Abu Dhabi. A world championship to relive like a movie."

'Battle reminiscent of Senna vs. Prost'

Like Bild, also The Sun attention to the negotiations between Red Bull and Masi. "It was like a referee in football doing a deal with a manager over whether it should be a penalty or not," The British newspaper continued: "This captivating title is reminiscent of the classic battles. Think Ayrton Senna versus Alain Prost and Michael Schumacher against Damon Hill. This season has not only seen two committed racers on track, but it has been laced with allegations of dirty tricks and the actions of F1's governing body will also come in for heavy criticism."

'Madness set in motion by Schumacher'

The French newspaper L'Equipe thought for a moment that not much was going to happen in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Overtaking proved difficult in the early laps. "For fourteen laps, however, it looked as though this first race in Jeddah would end in a letdown. After a perfect start for the two Mercedes drivers on the front row, Hamilton, Bottas and Verstappen gradually increased the gap to the rest of the field, without creating any overtaking opportunities for the Dutchman. But Schumacher, who took off alone, forced the stewards to show the red flag. That started all the madness."