√Formula One champion Max Verstappen in hot water over alleged ‘speeding’ video

Reigning Formula One champion Max Verstappen was filmed allegedly speeding through a tunnel in France while driving an Aston Martin hypercar – but there’s no official word yet on whether the Dutchman will be penalised by authorities.

A video of Max Verstappen allegedly speeding through a French tunnel in an Aston Martin Valkyrie has emerged online, though it’s not clear whether the two-time Formula One champion will be penalised for his as-yet unconfirmed actions.

The now-deleted video was uploaded to social media platform Instagram earlier this week by the Aston Martin’s passenger, Mark Cox – a personal coach and friend of Verstappen.

In the video, Verstappen is driving the Valkyrie hypercar through a tunnel near Nice in France when the camera shows its dash displaying an indicated speed of 124km/h.

According to local publication Nice Matin, the road Verstappen was driving on has a speed limit of 90km/h – meaning he was exceeding the posted limit by 34km/h.

???? Max Verstappen could be prosecuted based on the AMR Valkyrie video for 'endangering the lives of others'

At the General Directorate of the National Gendarmerie, a specialized cell tracks down these kinds of videos broadcasted on social networks.

[@Nice_Matin] #F1 pic.twitter.com/VJHmKq8rA4
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) August 21, 2023

Though the speeds are relatively tame compared to those Verstappen experiences in a Formula One car – and far below the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s claimed 355km/h top speed – it is still greater than the reported maximum limit on that particular road.

While reports elsewhere have said the French police – known as the National Gendarmerie – are investigating the video, these are unsubstantiated.

For context, the penalty for exceeding the speed limit by between 30km/h and 40km/h in France is a €135 ($AU228) fine and three penalty points.

The Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar Max Verstappen was driving was designed by famed Formula One engineer Adrian Newey, who has played a major role in designing F1 cars that have won 11 Constructors Championships and 12 Drivers Championships – including Verstappen’s 2021 and 2022 Red Bull titles.

Powered by a 6.5-litre Cosworth V12 engine and an electric motor, the Valkyrie produces up to 860kW and has an electronically-limited top speed of 355km/h.

Max Verstappen has won 10 of the 12 Grands Prix held so far in 2023, comfortably leading the Formula One standings on 314 points, ahead of second-placed team-mate Sergio Perez (189 points).

Verstappen’s points tally is also greater than that of the second-placed team Mercedes-AMG (247 points between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell) and he will have the chance to further extend his lead at his home race, the Dutch Grand Prix, this weekend.

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