Another race weekend, another memorable radio exchange between Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase (GP). This season has been full of hilarious moments featuring GP putting Verstappen in his place. Be that as it may, when it comes to supporting Verstappen and celebrating, he’s the Dutchman’s biggest cheerleader. At the Las Vegas GP, though, Lambiase’s celebrations might’ve been misplaced because Verstappen did something that should’ve led to GP repeating his Belgian GP bit, “I’d ask you to use your head a bit more, Max.” Instead, it sounded like the opposite.

Qualifying at the Las Vegas GP was always going to be tough in terms of getting track position. The fight for the all-important track position is what got Verstappen in a tussle with Alpine’s Esteban Ocon. It ended with Verstappen calling Ocon a “stupid idiot!” Surprisingly, GP didn’t sound too upset after Verstappen’s antics.

GP handed Max Verstappen good news after Q1

Max Verstappen and Esteban Ocon haven’t had the best relationship throughout their careers. Remember how Ocon practically robbed Verstappen of a first Brazilian GP win in 2018? The Dutchman was leading the race, and Ocon was a lap down. He thought it would be wise to unlap himself, but while doing so, he clipped Verstappen’s car and spun him around. Yeah, settling for P2 must still hurt Verstappen because it looked like he took revenge for that and Ocon’s antics in Q1 in Vegas.

To create a gap to drivers in front, there were five cars slowing down at the end of the Strip. Ocon and Verstappen were among them. At the time, Verstappen was safely inside the Top 10 but still wanted another go. Ocon, on the other hand, was in the elimination zone. The Frenchman decided to overtake everyone and start his final flying lap. What could’ve been his final chance to make it to Q2 didn’t even happen because of Verstappen.

As Ocon went into the Turn 1 hairpin, Verstappen dove down the inside, which ruined Ocon’s lap. It was a move that could’ve very well damaged Verstappen’s car. Understandably, GP may not have been too pleased with the Dutchman. But instead of calling Verstappen out for his potentially qualifying-compromising maneuver, he just gave Verstappen an update on Ocon’s qualifying, seeing as Verstappen’s objective was to ruin his lap. While Verstappen was making it back to the pits after safely going through to Q2, GP said, “For what it’s worth, Max, [Ocon] didn’t make it through in Q1.” As much as Verstappen’s move may have brought GP to the edge of his seat, looks like he, too, has some remnant animosity from Brazil 2018 toward Ocon. 

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Ultimately, it was Ocon who came off worse. Verstappen qualified in P3 behind the Ferraris but will start in P2. Ocon, on the other hand, could only manage a P17 thanks to Verstappen. Even so, the Frenchman is focusing on the positives for the main race.

Esteban Ocon is hopeful about the Las Vegas GP

Alpine started the year wanting to emulate its result from 2022. It wanted to finish this season in P4 in the Constructors’ Championship or better. Instead, it’s stuck in P6. The Enstone-Viry outfit hasn’t had the smoothest of seasons. With management shake-ups and an unreliable car, it’s all been haywire for Alpine, on and off the track. Esteban Ocon has had the most DNFs this season (7), and his teammate Pierre Gasly’s 3 haven’t helped the team’s case either. Despite Alpine’s problems this season, Ocon is hopeful about the Vegas race.

The Las Vegas Street Circuit has three straights, which cover most of the lap. Evidently, straight-line speed will play a huge role in the main race. In his post-qualifying interview, Ocon said, “We don’t seem to catch a break this season. We always seem to struggle and be hurt by these things. It was going to be a promising qualifying.” Considering Gasly qualified in P5, Ocon could’ve been right up there as well. Despite that, he added, “Tomorrow, we have good straight-line speed. So hopefully, we’ll be catching up.”

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How do you think the Las Vegas GP will play out for Esteban Ocon and Max Verstappen?