Max Verstappen the “detective”: spots Lando Norris misaligned on Bahrain F1 grid. Max Verstappen spotted Lando Norris out of position on the grid moments before the start.

Always alert
Even during weekends when his car is not competitive and he’s unable to secure a win or podium finish, Max Verstappen always finds a way to stand out and showcase his talent. He does it through overtakes – such as the brilliant last-lap move he pulled on Pierre Gasly to snatch sixth place – and through his incredible ability to notice everything happening around him.

The team radio to Giampiero Lambiase
Just moments before the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix, with impressive clarity, he was the first to notice Lando Norris’s movements on the grid slot and the fact that the Briton was out of position when the lights went out. Footage from the on-board camera of the #1 Red Bull shows Max Verstappen glancing a couple of times to his right, toward Norris, to confirm his first impression, and then immediately radioing his race engineer.

Noticed and penalized
“Lando is over his grid box,” was the quick message the reigning world champion sent to Giampiero Lambiase. “Okay, received. Thank you,” came the brief reply from the pit wall. Shortly afterward, during the opening laps, came the stewards’ investigation and the inevitable five-second penalty for Lando Norris. The sanction would have come anyway, regardless of Max’s eagle eye, but the Dutchman once again proved that his talent goes far beyond just pushing the car to the limit.