Rome Taxi Drivers Take umbrage at Verstappen Stereotype
Taxi chauffeur venting intense frustration
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Rome's busy streets are witnessing a flurry of hot-headed discussions, all instigated by Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff. He compared Formula 1 racer Max Verstappen's reckless driving to that of Rome's and Naples' taxi drivers - a statement that has ruffled the taxi community’s feathers.
The controversy unfolded when Max Verstappen tested his agility during the Spanish Grand Prix, colliding with George Russell, according to Wolff, in a manner similar to an agitated taxi driver behind the wheel in the chaotic, rule-evading streets of Rome or Naples[1].
Loreno Bittarelli, Rome’s top taxi association president, was quick to retort, claiming that Rome's drivers, even those behind the wheel of a racing car, would struggle to survive for an hour in the city's frustrating traffic[2]. "We are superior to F1 drivers," he asserted to "Corriere della Sera." Goading Wolff further, Bittarelli highlighted Rome's unruly traffic conditions, emphasizing it as a jungle more demanding than a Formula 1 track.
Nicola di Giacobbe, from the taxi union Filt-Cgil, joined the fray calling Wolff's statement a "false stereotype"[2]. Di Giacobbe made light of the situation, suggesting their driving pace matched the sluggish Mercedes team- "We drive as slow as Mercedes,” he chuckled[2]. Bittarelli advised Wolff to redirect his attention to his struggling team instead of slinging mud at the Roman taxi drivers.
Verstappen's Reaction: Half-hearted Apology, Half-hearted Skirmish
Wolff's colorful analogy likely stemmed from his post-race interview on an Italian television broadcast after the Barcelona race. Verstappen's decision to collide with Russell, forgoing the opportunity to let him pass and potentially earning a penalty, left both drivers bruised[3]. Verstappen landed a 10-second penalty, plummeting him to 10th position in the race rankings. The penalty also added three points to his misconduct tally, edging him perilously close to a suspension.
Frustrated with the early setback in securing a fifth world title, Verstappen’s hurried behavior on the tracks seemed to stem from restlessness. Currently sitting in third place in the driver standings with 137 points, Verstappen is play catch-up to McLaren’s duo- Oscar Piastri’s leading with 186 points and Lando Norris following closely behind, with 176 points[3]. In contrast, Verstappen has only managed to secure five podium finishes in nine races, with teammates Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda scrambling for a paltry 7 points combined[3].
Initially, Verstappen displayed defiance in the face of criticism from the likes of Lewis Hamilton[4]. Responding to Hamilton's criticism of his maneuver, Verstappen replied, "I’ll bring him some tissues next time"[4]. Hamilton had previously expressed concern over their precarious situation on the tracks, stating ominously, "We're playing with fire out here. Fortunately, the cars are as safe as they are today. But we can't take safety for granted"[4]. Verstappen eventually acknowledged the error, admitting on social media that the collision "was not right and should not have happened"[5]. Christian Horner, Red Bull's team principal, already confirmed reports that Verstappen has apologized to Hamilton in their post-race debrief[5]. be the real thing, or if it's mere damage control will only unfold in the upcoming races.
The Rome taxi community strongly opposes Toto Wolff's comparison of Max Verstappen's driving style to that of their own drivers, taking issue with the stereotype and seeking a correction. In the midst of this controversy, Nicola di Giacobbe, from the taxi union Filt-Cgil, suggests that their pace matches the sluggish Mercedes team, implying a similarity between their vocational training in driving and Formula 1 drivers. Meanwhile, Rome's taxi drivers demand attention to their challenging vocational training in the city's sports-like traffic conditions, often seen as more demanding than a Formula 1 track.
