Raging Bulls || Max Verstappen MV

01. ...Ready For It?

"Baby, let the games begin

Let the games begin."

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Dutch Grand Prix 2022

"Hello and welcome back to the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix! We are here in Zandvoort where the big story is, Red Bull is down one main driver! Checo Perez is not racing this weekend! He announced via instagram that his doctor confirmed a sinus infection after the team's arrival on Thursday. Perez's seat is instead filled by the young Matilde Schumacher. For those watching at home, you did hear me right. We have another Schumacher on the track this weekend. The siblings both made it into Q3 yesterday and Matilde stunned the paddock when she qualified fifth after only driving that Red Bull for...around 24 hours. Mick got his Haas into eighth place so we may be in for some decent battles between the twins this weekend. We are going trackside with Ted Kravitz to see how the paddock is looking on this fine Dutch morning."

"Yes Crofty, the energy on track this morning can be considered nothing short of electric. I haven't been able to catch a glimpse of Mati Schumacher this morning, they must be hiding her somewhere before the national anthem but the Red Bull garage has been in motion all day. Oh there's Christian Horner, lets see if I can get a comment from him. Christian!"

"Good morning Ted, good to see you."

"You too Christian, very quickly can I get a comment on Matilde's qualifying and what your target is for today?"

"Well Ted, we have one driver on pole so that's where our main focus is, but Mati definitely made her entrance known. We're going to put our full attention into keeping her in the points and making sure she makes it through this race. The team is behind both her and Max, and we are hoping to maximize our takeaway this weekend. Thanks Ted."

"Well Crofty you heard it here, even Christian Horner did not expect that qualifying result from his reserve driver. It looks like the pre-formation lap frenzy is starting...so I'll send it back up to you!"

"Thanks Ted, let's get started."

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"It's lights out and away we go! Max Verstappen gets away brilliantly as does his teammate for the day Schumacher. She has managed to seal off Russell behind and is hanging onto the gear box of Lewis Hamilton as they go into Turn 1. Can she get him...she does! Late braking executed beautifully and now Verstappen leads from Leclerc, Sainz and Schumacher. Wow it feels wonderful to say that name again!"

"We have just hit lap 6 of 72 and already, a DRS train has begun forming behind Schumacher-- sorry I should clarify, MICK Schumacher in P10 is the beginning of the train. His sister is still up in P4 and I can say confidently holding her own as the Dutch crowd roars for their Championship leader. Sainz is sitting only seven seconds ahead of Schumacher, as Leclerc attempts to close that gap to Verstappen."

"Alright, Lap 18 and the Red Bull pit crew is out there waiting patiently for...Schumacher! Wow, they must be bringing her in to try the under cut on Ferrari. What do you think Karun?"

"Yeah Crofty, for as much as Christian Horner said he didn't think Schumacher was going to qualify that high, they seem to be putting an awful lot of thought into her strategy...you love to see it! She is on the Medium tyres so, they are probably going for the two stop. Oh and now in comes Verstappen! He also will go onto the Mediums and emerges back onto the track comfortably in third place."

"Karun, what do you think Red Bull is doing here? Both drivers pitted so close to each other and now are on the same tyres while the two Mercedes' lead from the two Red Bulls and the two Ferrari's right behind them."