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Two-time former F1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi has said Abu Dhabi’s 2021 controversy and budget cap anger have not tainted Max Verstappen’s world title.
Verstappen recently joined Fittipaldi as a two-time world champion with his victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, ending the 2022 title as his title rival Charles Leclerc was relegated to third place behind the checkered flag.
For the second straight season, however, the championship’s victory was overshadowed by controversy. Verstappen’s first victory came in the notorious drama of the season finale at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, 24 hours after his 22-year victory FIA reveals Red Bull has been found guilty of ‘minor overspending breach’ Regarding the 2021 Financial Regulations.
However, despite the dramatic change, the two titles did not diminish Verstappen’s achievement in the eyes of 1972 and ’74 champion Fittipaldi.
Emerson Fittipaldi: Drama “has nothing to do with Max Verstappen’s talent”
“No. Nothing to do with Max at all,” Fittipaldi in an interview with Vegas Insider When asked if Verstappen’s title has been overshadowed by such controversy.
“Last year he really deserved it and he deserved it this year, in my opinion. He won most of the championships last year and this year he’s doing well on his way to the championship.
“What happened in Abu Dhabi had nothing to do with Max’s talent, he deserved to be a world champion. And this year is exactly the same.”
While Fittipaldi and Verstappen are both two-time world champions, the Dutch driver achieved the double after the Brazilian dominated the sport for nearly 50 years.
F1 has changed dramatically in the intervening decades, but Fittipaldi believes the achievement of two world championships remains as daunting as it was in his time.
“Max showed what he did, showed his talent, showed under pressure that he wouldn’t wither. He proved that he is a world champion,” he said.
“When you start the year as the reigning world champion, it’s a lot of pressure. He handles it well. I think it’s difficult to win any world title in any era.
“No matter what era in Formula One, the competition is always tough and the pressure is always there. So, winning two world championships is very difficult. It is satisfying for drivers to win a second world championship, which An affirmation of talent and dedication.
“I’m sure Max must be very happy. Winning two years in a row is very, very special.”
Fittipaldi’s name will be on the GP roster until the end of the 2022 season
While Emerson’s F1 racing career is long gone, Fittipaldi’s name will once again be on the entry list for the Grand Prix weekend before the end of the season.
His grandson Pietro, a long-term backup driver for Haas, made his grand prix debut with the American team at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix and is Schedule an FP1 session to run in Mexico City and Abu Dhabi later in the season.
“I think Pietro, it’s good for his career to continue testing. He’s very fast. He’s a very talented driver,” Fittipaldi said of his grandson’s outing.
“And the tests will help him show his talent. He has been driving and practicing well. I am happy. He will provide information to the team which will help them improve the car.
“We need more F1 teams to develop these young talents – more seats and more opportunities.”
Read more: Emerson Fittipaldi’s 1972 title wins Lotus’ ‘Evija’ supercar
article Emerson Fittipaldi: None of Max Verstappen’s titles have been tainted by Abu Dhabi or budget caps appeared first on Planetf1.com.
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