Verstappen snaps back at F1 champion criticism after Norris feud
Max Verstappen has hit out at “biased” people for criticising his driving standards in F1, branding them “very annoying”.
The 27-year-old also sniped at the FIA for Charles Leclerc’s lack of punishment – thus far – for swearing in a press conference after finishing on the podium at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Following the two 10-second time penalties he incurred whilst battling with Lando Norris at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, the Dutchman has found himself at the centre of the re-energised racing guidelines argument that is engulfing F1.
Known for his aggressive approach to wheel-to-wheel racing, the Red Bull driver has come under intense scrutiny, especially after his defensive driving in Austin, and his subsequent antics in Mexico, re-ignited the debate.
It prompted 1996 F1 drivers’ champion Damon Hill to argue Verstappen struggles to race fairly.
“They say that sport doesn’t build character, it shows character, and his default is to revert to preventative methods rather than trying to keep it within the bounds of fairness,” the 60-year-old said on the Sky Sports F1 podcast.
In the FIA press conference for the São Paulo Grand Prix, when Hill’s remarks were put to Verstappen, and asked if he felt unfairly targeted, the Dutchman struck a combative tone.
“I don’t listen to those individuals,” the 61-time grand prix winner told media including RacingNews365.
“I just do my thing. I’m a three-time world champion. I think I know what I’m doing…
“Honestly, I have my opinions. I don’t need to share them.”
Verstappen takes shot at FIA
Given the defiant response to the original question, Verstappen was later pressed on who it is he listens to and by whose advice he is guided.
As he responded, he took aim at the FIA, expressing a clear grievance for a perceived double standard around the swearing debacle from the Singapore Grand Prix in September.
“People that are objective and close to me,” Verstappen said initially before continuing: “And not just there to stir… I can’t say the word because I’ll probably get another [penalty]…
“Apparently it only counts for me anyway, because after the race in Mexico, someone was swearing – I didn’t hear anything from it, so it’s better I don’t swear again.”
Getting back to the focus of the immediate question at hand, Verstappen called out his doubters despite insisting he does not pay them much notice.
“Some people are just being very annoying, and I know who these people are,” he added. “I don’t pay a lot of attention to them anyway.
“And I think that I’ve got to this stage of my career with the right people supporting me and [by] making my own decisions, so I think I know what I’m doing.”
When it was thrown back to him again, with a view of finding out who the people behind Verstappen are, he replied: “Good people with a good heart, [and] I know [who they are] – that’s the most important.
“Some people are just a bit biased. I get it, it’s fine, but it’s not my problem at the end of the day. I just continue with my life and I keep performing.”
(As of writing, the FIA has yet to confirm if it will punish Leclerc.)
