Max Verstappen's Reckless Driving Label Sparks Outrage Among Rome Taxi Drivers
Furious Taxi Driver Encounters Irritation
Social Media Sharing Share via Email Print Copied Link Rome taxi drivers are fuming after being labeled as reckless drivers by Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, likening Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen's driving to their unruly ways in Italy.
Days after the Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen's aggressive actions are still causing controversy—but this time in the heart of Rome. The spark for this drama was set by Wolff, who compared Verstappen's collision with teammate George Russell to the chaotic roads of Italy. In Wolff's words, the Dutchman drove on the Barcelona track "like an impatient taxi driver in Rome or Naples," where there are "no rules" and "a lot of aggression."
While taxi drivers in Naples might chuckle or brush off the accusations, their Rome counterparts are adamantly refuting the claims. Loreno Bittarelli, the president of Rome's largest taxi association, told "Corriere della Sera," "We're more skilled than Formula 1 drivers who wouldn't last a single hour in Rome's city traffic." He also added, "Rome is a madhouse, much harder than a Formula 1 track."
Dismissing False Stereotypes
The taxi drivers argue that Wolff has conjured up a "false stereotype" about aggressive driving. Nicola di Giacobbe of the union Filt-Cgil jokes, "Meanwhile, we crawl along as slowly as Mercedes here." Bittarelli further suggests that Wolff should focus on improving his team's performance, implying that Rome's drivers are the epitome of caution and skill amidst crowded streets and construction zones.
- Formula 1
- Max Verstappen
- Taxi drivers
- Rome
Extra Insights:
While aggressive driving is indeed a common issue in some parts of Rome, taxi drivers argue that their job requires careful consideration, as any accidents would mean losing valuable working hours. Further, taxi drivers say that traffic in Rome is far more complicated than a Formula 1 track, as it includes construction sites, scooters, golf carts, and various other obstacles [1]. Additionally, a taxi driver humorously commented that they would like to witness drivers pulling off Rome's criminal taxi antics on a high-speed track [2]. Lastly, some taxi drivers also poked fun at Mercedes, comparing their performance to Rome's slow-moving traffic.
[1] ntv.de
[2] tsi
"Despite the comparison made by Toto Wolff, who deemed Max Verstappen's driving similar to that of Rome's taxi drivers, members of the Rome taxi community argue that they undergo extensive training, akin to vocational training, to navigate the intricate city roads. In light of this, they suggest that Toto Wolff should focus on improving the performance of his Formula 1 team, as they pride themselves on their skills and caution while dealing with challenging traffic conditions, including scooters, golf carts, and construction zones."
"Moreover, the Rome taxi community asserts that they find it amusing when sports critics, such as Toto Wolff, draw false stereotypes about aggressive driving. In response, they humorously mention that they could not imagine enacting Rome's notorious taxi antics on a high-speed Formula 1 track, thereby suggesting that their driving skills might be an asset in vocational training programs for racecar drivers."
