Max Verstappen’s driving has drawn criticism yet again, but the three-time world champion remains unfazed by others’ opinions.
The stewards gave the Red Bull driver two 10-second time penalties for different incidents involving championship rival Lando Norris during the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Turn 4 infraction was for “forcing another driver off the track” while Turn 8 was for “leaving the track and gaining an advantage.” On that last maneuver, Verstappen arguably wasn’t close to making the corner, and Norris had to take evasive action.
The Dutchman is known for his aggressive driving style, but Verstappen’s aggression during Sunday’s race led many to debate whether he crossed a line. Former world champion Damon Hill did not hold back on his opinions while on the Sky Sports F1 podcast earlier this week.
“The aerial footage is very clear to me, he made no attempt to back off and make the corner and leave room for Lando. It was just simply a case of: ‘You’re not coming through,’” Hill said at one point in the conversation, analyzing one of the incidents. He later added, “It is possible to race fairly and that is something I’m not sure that Max is capable of – it’s not in his repertoire. It’s not in his philosophy. His philosophy is that ‘You’re not coming past.’”
During Thursday’s FIA news conference ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix, Verstappen was asked about Hill’s comment, specifically about how he’s unsure if the Dutchman can race fairly.
“I don’t listen to those individuals. I just do my thing. I’m a three-time world champion. I think I know what I’m doing,” Verstappen said Thursday.
Verstappen was also asked about whether he feels he has been unfairly targeted with the recent criticism. He kept his answer short: “Honestly, I have my opinions, I don’t need to share them.”
Many drivers have talked about the importance of who you surround yourself with in the Formula One world and being picky about who they listen to. After all, everyone has an opinion, regardless of if it is about a controversial topic, and there is plenty of noise on any given race weekend. For Verstappen, he vaguely discussed his inner circle.
“People that are objective and close to me and not just there to stir … I can’t say the word because I’ll probably get another (community service punishment),” he said. “I mean, 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.”
The moment Verstappen is referencing is when Charles Leclerc used a curse word during the post-race news conference Sunday when discussing his big save late in the race. As of Thursday afternoon, the Ferrari driver had not been formally summoned or investigated for that moment.
Verstappen continued his answer: “Some people are just being very annoying. And I know who these people are. I don’t really pay a lot of attention to them anyway. And I think I’ve got to this stage in my career with the right people supporting me and making my own decisions. Yeah, so I think I know what I’m doing.”
When pressed on who, he stayed vague: “Good people, with a good heart.” A journalist pointed out that people on the outside don’t know who these individuals are.
“Yeah, but I know. That’s the most important,” Verstappen said. “Some people are just a bit biased. And I mean, 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.”
Despite what has been written and said about his racing over the last several days, Verstappen won’t change how he drives this weekend. He said, “I’ve heard that before in my career, so it’s my tenth year in Formula One, I think I know what I’m doing.”
Verstappen still leads the driver standings by 47 points over Norris, but McLaren still has the lead in the constructor standings — and Red Bull dropped after Ferrari’s strong outing in Mexico. There are four grands prix and two sprint races left, one of which is this weekend. But to add a twist, Verstappen may be staring down an engine penalty during that stretch, possibly as soon as this weekend.
He has already received a 10-place grid drop before this season, when he exceeded the limit of power units that can be used in a season. Red Bull made the swap at the Belgian GP. While in Mexico, Verstappen endured engine problems during practice and had to use an older unit. Brazil arguably is the best option to take the grid penalty because it is easier to overtake at Interlagos compared to the remaining circuits.
It remains to be confirmed whether the power unit change will happen this weekend, though. If so, it would be a five-place grid drop as it’s his second breach this season.
“I haven’t heard anything yet,” Verstappen said Thursday. “It’s not discussed, but I know that I will have to take one at some point. So we’ll see.”
