Following back-to-back race weekends of controversial incidents and conjecture over his driving style, it comes as no surprise that the build-up to the Brazilian Grand Prix has been dominated by intense scrutiny of triple Formula One world champion Max Verstappen as his championship battle with McLaren’s Lando Norris heats up ahead of the final four races.
Verstappen had pushed the rules to the absolute limit in defending his position against Norris and pushing him wide at the US Grand Prix in Austin, allowing him to gain an advantage. When the two had two run-ins again at the Mexico Grand Prix, however, he was penalised for with penalties for pushing his British rival wide. In the days since, F1 drivers of past and present, have weighed in.
Lewis Hamilton, with whom the Red Bull driver had a tight championship battle that went to the wire in 2021, stood firm that it has been three years since he has been warning of the Dutchman’s driving style. “All you have to do is go back and listen to some of my radio comments back in the day,” he was quoted as saying by The Guardian ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix.
If I was in the battle I could lean in more to it but you have to ask those two (Verstappen and Norris) because they are the ones that it is affecting but I don’t think you are seeing much difference across the years from 2021 until now, it’s pretty much the same.”
Following the 20-second penalty that Verstappen faced in Mexico, Norris used the pace advantage of his McLaren to finish second behind Ferarri’s Carlos Sainz, allowing a 10-point swing in the championship battle. He is currently 47 points behind Verstappen.
Despite the penalties, the Dutch driver was not able to compete for a higher grid position than sixth showing the lack of pace in his Red Bull as compared to his rivals in McLaren and Ferrari. That is a matter of much greater concern to him than his allegedly dangerous driving style, criticism of which he has rubbished.
It is my 10th year in F1. I know what I am doing,” Verstappen was quoted as saying by AP. “I like to win. I don’t like to lose. I think not many people like to lose… I don’t listen to those individuals. I just do my thing. I’m a three-time world champion.”
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