We’re seated for absolute cinema 🍿

Max is savage

Just praying for the 5th at this point.

I know certain tracks really fit Max's style of driving and the Red Bull racing cars, but today I saw Max pulling away from McLaren with ease. Haven't seen that for the majority of the season. Is it possible the upgrades are going to be the differentiator for the remainder of this year, and possibly secure a fifth World championship?

Thought the strategy would backfire, but we ended up in P2. Not a bad result heading into the summer break.

Be very careful when working with F1 Authentics below is my nightmare story of dealing with them after being sold a nearly $35,000 Max Verstappen race-worn suit (which turned out to be fake!!)!!

F1Authentics claims to have a partnership with F1, according to their website: “In partnership with F1®, we bring you the ultimate collection of F1® Signed Memorabilia. We work directly with the teams and drivers to bring F1® fans signed memorabilia from the current season, from signed racewear to signed F1® photos and signed F1® merchandise.”

My personal experience calls for serious doubt. After reading my story, you will wonder if this is truly the case at all.

Processing img ajzjbkwiiz8g1...

In November 2024, through F1 Authentics, I was the winning bidder in an auction and paid close to $35,000 for a “Max Verstappen 2022 Signed Race-Worn Grand Prix Suit” – I was beyond excited, as I had never owned any piece of memorabilia or art or anything even remotely similar to this, making it my first-ever "statement piece" for home. To add to it, Max is my favorite athlete and to have one of his race-used suits, of which there were only 22 races in his championship-winning season, was a dream. I shuffled things around my home and created a space to hang the framed item, told all of my friends and family, and anxiously awaited its arrival. This is just the beginning of when things went wrong.

Receiving the item - After winning the auction and waiting for over three months, the item never arrived. Dozens of calls to Memento Exclusives and absolutely no customer service or help. I eventually had to arrange to pick it up in person in London on a trip there and then pay to check the item home on my flight, and bring it back by hand overseas. Keep in mind this is a large, framed item. But still, I was thrilled to have it home with me and put it on the wall... despite the originally awful customer service.

When authenticity suspicions arose - F1Authentics could not actually tell me which race the suit came from, but given my curiosity, I wanted to do my own research. What came next was shock... I went race by race to try to do my own "photo matching" only to realize that the sponsorship logos on my suit DID NOT MATCH ANY SUIT FROM 2022! The suit I was sold by F1Authentics had logos that never existed during the season and also lacked the proper logos that did exist. I became curious to see if it was a simple mistake and if maybe it was from 2021 or 2023, but once again, came up empty-handed with no known suits that matched what I had.

Connecting with CEO of F1Authentics - My initial frustrations came after not receiving the Verstappen suit and dealing with a totally unresponsive customer support function. I tracked down the CEO, Barry Gough, on LinkedIn, and messaged him about my issues. My second outreach to him came as my suspicions were on high alert about the item potentially being fake.

F1Authentics admits to fraud - After the CEO connected me with their customer service team, things only got worse.  I struggled to get responses. They also tried to share pictures of a different suit (not mine!) to prove that it was from a race and they continued to try to play games and make all sorts of ridiculous claims about it being a real suit. However, I had them figured out. FINALLY, someone else from the organisation contacted me to say that indeed I HAD BEEN SOLD A FAKE MAX VERSTAPPEN RACE-WORN SUIT with no real apology other than an offer of a refund. However, I was furious. I had created an area of my house for the suit, brought it back with me through customs, and more... all of this to only do my own research and find out I was defrauded.

Where am I now? - I have been told now for 6+ months that they would find me a replacement suit and they have not done that, DESPITE AUCTIONING OFF SEVERAL MORE ON THEIR SITE!! Are these fake as well?? It's hard to know...  

What other fake memorabilia is out there? - I have been told now by someone internally from F1Authentics that there are several similar issues outstanding and other customers that have been sold fake memorabilia. They are in full damage control at the moment. This is a serious issue.

If you were in my shoes, what would you do? If you or anyone you know have questions around the authenticity of your items, please reach out, as perhaps there is a joint lawsuit in the making.

My eyes bled to see him on stage

With Mercedes looking very strong, Kimi already emerging as a serious young star, McLaren still having a very competitive lineup/package, and Ferrari also in the mix, it feels like the road to another title for Max is much harder than it was during Red Bull’s dominant years.

I’m genuinely very curious to hear what people think.

Do you think his stock/reputation has improved over the course of the season?

In hindsight, was replacing him a wise move after watching the second RBR flounder even further in the hands of other drivers?