Johnny Herbert believes a “question mark” over Max Verstappen’s ability to intimidate his F1 rivals on track is starting to appear.
The three-time grand prix winner suggested the Red Bull driver’s power is diminishing after his peers “all started to rebel” against him last season.
The Dutchman has long enjoyed a redoubtable reputation for his robust wheel-to-wheel racing, something that has proven effective in dissuading opponents from going toe-to-toe with him in the heat of battle.
However, Herbert feels the four-time F1 drivers’ champion may no longer have carte blanche to stamp his authority on his rivals after they began standing up to him over his race craft and conduct in the media.
“What was entertaining about last year was Max Verstappen playing the game and he was intimidating everybody on track with comments that he was making about every single driver,” the three-time grand prix winner told Casinoutanspelpaus.io.
“But, they all started to rebel, they all started to push back, they all started to stand up to it and George Russell was one of those that stood up to him.
“I think that is needed in the sport, someone who will stand up to another driver because of the comments that he might have about what happened on the racetrack, that’s what they should do.
“They should have respect for each other and sometimes, they show that respect when you stand up and say, ‘No, that’s not the right thing’, as Russell did to the press.
“And I think that’s a good strength, a very, very good strength to have because as much as Verstappen always wants to intimidate everybody, suddenly there’ll be a question mark, can another driver intimidate him at this particular corner? This particular lap? At this particular time in the championship?”
Norris is ‘learning to ask that question’
In Herbert’s eyes, this concerted effort to undermine Verstappen’s domineering presence in F1 could turn the tables on the Red Bull driver.
If Russell was somewhat of a ringleader and instigator to the shifting sands, the 60-year-old highlighted another driver who stands to benefit from the changing power dynamics in F1 – and perception of Verstappen.
Lando Norris put together a distant and ultimately under-equipped title challenge against the 63-time grand prix winner last term.
Although the McLaren driver was often found wanting when squaring up to the 27-year-old on track, Herbert thinks the Briton is starting to “see what everybody else does” when battling Verstappen.
“It’s almost like there’s question marks that have started to come in his head at the moment,” he added. “But, Verstappen is so confident and so in control of everything that’s going on around him.
“I think Lando Norris is learning how to ask that question and probably sees what everybody else does when standing up to Verstappen.”
