Reigning world champion Max Verstappen and Scuderia AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda went head-to-head in 900 horsepower V8 machines nevertheless, as an alternative of duelling in F1, they travelled to the Florida Everglades for a singular hit of the swamp buggy racing. Right here is all it is advisable know:
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This weekend’s Miami Grand Prix is the primary F1 race to ever be held within the American metropolis with Dutchman Verstappen and Japanese driver Tsunoda heading two hours west to the town of Naples earlier than the fifth cease of the 2022 season to get pleasure from a unique type of high-octane competitors.
Since 1949, the Florida Everglades has been residence to swamp buggy racing with the F1 duo racing head-to-head in 900 horsepower V8 buggies with 68-inch wheels round a observe submerged in standing water.
Verstappen and Tsunoda have been joined by Supercross 250 East Champion Jett Lawrence and Tokyo skateboarding Olympian Zion Wright for a real Florida expertise and showdown within the swamp. After witnessing buggy energy by way of a fast demo, the quartet realized the right way to function them: a clutch, two gears and no brake earlier than a follow lap and the primary conflict between Verstappen and American Wright.
Off the road, it was all Wright, however a dramatic comeback by Verstappen clinched him the win with Tsunoda scorching off the beginning subsequent up inflicting the buggy to wheelie within the water as Lawrence instantly stalled and flooded his buggy placing Tsunoda via to the ultimate. Tsunoda was out entrance shortly – as soon as once more wheelieing his buggy – to get the leap on F1 rival Verstappen then held off the Oracle Pink Bull Racing star down the ultimate straight to shut out the victory.
Verstappen, 24, mentioned:
I used to be a bit shocked as a result of I’d by no means seen one thing prefer it, however really, after I tried it, it was actually cool. It’s fairly wonderful to drive one in all these. It’s so completely different from what we’re used to and one thing I’ve by no means seen earlier than in my life and to leap into it for the primary time and really feel what the automobile is doing is fairly spectacular. I’ve pushed fairly a number of several types of automobiles, however that is one other degree for positive.
Tsunoda, 21, revealed:
Swamp buggy racing was undoubtedly the primary time in my life, and I tremendous loved it – a strong day. Driving the buggy was like a jet ski; you may’t flip the automobile if you find yourself full throttle, nevertheless it was simpler than anticipated and I used to be capable of adapt fairly shortly.
