20 years separate these two moments, however following a disappointing 2026 Monaco Grand Prix for Max Verstappen, the Dutchman has been in comparison with the legendary Kimi Raikkonen.
In 2006, after his McLaren caught fireplace resulting from a warmth defend failure on the Monte Carlo race, Raikkonen was watched by a whole lot of hundreds of individuals internationally as he waltzed away from the burning carcass of a automobile in full racing gear.
He was anticipated to return to his storage, however he was later seen in a scorching tub the place he relaxed with champagne and beer because the race continued in entrance of him.
Following in the present day’s race, Verstappen did the identical factor. After his automobile struggled to even full the primary lap of the race within the principality, he left it within the storage and walked again to his boat. And the web observed instantly.
A fan account on X posted a side-by-side picture of the 2 drivers: Raikkonen, shirtless and drink in hand, in comparison with Verstappen – barefoot on the teak deck of a ship. The submit racked up over 108,000 views and 5300 likes inside hours.
“Identical degree of aura. Hanging out within the yacht,” one person wrote in response.
After qualifying P2 behind Mercedes teen Kimi Antonelli, there was loads of anticipation round what the Crimson Bull driver may do from the entrance row. In spite of everything, this was Verstappen’s joint-best Saturday of the season. Sadly for the Milton Keynes outfit, this sense was short-lived.
“I feel already on the formation lap it wasn’t significantly nice,” he stated. “However then on the pre-start process the engine was already responding very weirdly. Usually, at one level, you discover your RPM goal, however the engine was principally not doing that. Then, once I dropped the clutch, it principally dropped useless. You solely had the battery at one level serving to me go ahead, and yeah, after that the engine sounded actually dangerous.”
Verstappen barely moved from the grid when the lights had been extinguished and nearly managed to maneuver to the facet as the sphere stormed previous as much as Sainte Dévote. This was his second DNF of the season.
There are clear parallels with the Iceman. Verstappen is blunt, unbothered and comfy in saying what he thinks. However the best way he shrugged off what remained of the race was unmistakably Raikkonen in nature.
In the meantime, Kimi Antonelli’s record-breaking cost continued as he scored his fifth win in a row, unscathed by what was a penalty-ridden race.
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