Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas Fall Prey to Theft Right Before Ayrton Senna Tribute

Remember when Charles Leclerc’s watch was stolen and he drove after the thieves in his Ferrari? However, despite being on the F1 track, Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas couldn’t stop the thieves from getting away as they fell prey to theft right before the Ayrton Senna Tribute. But what was stolen from the two F1 drivers? What implications did the theft have on the two drivers?

Sebastian Vettel organized a tribute for Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at the 2024 Imola GP. A run to the Tamburello chicane was organized by the German driver, the corners where Senna crashed and lost his life. The drivers paid their tribute to the F1 legend and then walked to Turn 6, where Ratzenberger passed away a day before Ayrton Senna. And some special arrangements were made by Sebastian Vettel.

This included special t-shirts for all the F1 drivers, which had Senna written on the front and forever written on the back. The color and design of the Shirt took inspiration from Ayrton Senna’s iconic Helmet design, mostly yellow with green and blue stripes. However, Max Verstappen was in the Red Bull overall whereas every other driver was spotted wearing the Senna tribute t-shirt. Many fans criticized the Dutchman for not wearing it and connected it to his girlfriend’s father, Nelson Piquet, who’s infamous for having a bitter relationship with Senna.

Regardless, the truth has now come out about Max Verstappen’s Ayrton Senna T-shirt. Mariana Becker, an F1 Journalist is reported to have contacted Sebastian Vettel’s advisor. Afterward, she reported that many Senna tribute T-shirts were stolen including the ones for Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas. Seems like Verstappen was criticized unnecessarily.

Regardless, this was not the only thing that was notable during the Ayrton Senna tribute run. Let’s look at some other notable things from the run.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc connect during the Ayrton Senna Tribute, Mariana Becker gets a T-shirt signed by F1 driver

Lewis Hamilton is infamous not only for his 7 titles but also for going around the paddock on his scooter. The scooter has been a staple for the 7X champ as Charles Leclerc seems to be taking notes. The Brit was on his scooter during the Senna Tribute run while Leclerc was on a cycle, as the two chatted and bonded during the run. They seemed to be the only F1 drivers not running on foot.

Mariana Becker, who revealed the news about Verstappen’s T-shirt was at the run herself and got the T-shirt signed by all the F1 drivers. The journalist plans to raffle off the T-shirt and will help RS with the proceeds from it. As Sebastian Vettel and other drivers arrived at the Tamburello chicane, where a statue of Senna is built to pay tribute, he reminded everyone of how Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger’s deaths paved the way for the safety innovations in F1. 

What did you make of the Senna tribute run organized by Sebastian Vettel?

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