Max Verstappen, once a symbol of dominance, now finds himself in a challenging pursuit of victory. Red Bull and Verstappen are grappling with a ten-race drought, during which minor missteps that began in Miami have spiraled into a series of costly technical issues. These setbacks have not only impacted Red Bull’s performance but also influenced Verstappen’s racing style.
Red Bull’s position in the Constructors’ Championship has slipped, with McLaren and Ferrari overtaking them, pushing the team down to third place. Meanwhile, McLaren’s rising star, Lando Norris, is closing in on Verstappen in the Drivers’ standings. For the first time in three years, Red Bull is under significant pressure, which has been evident in Verstappen’s notably aggressive driving in recent races. The Dutchman has tackled all the backlash during a recent media interaction.
Max Verstappen Defends His “Aggressive” Racing Approach
Since Lando Norris has emerged as a formidable championship contender, Max Verstappen has reverted to his aggressive driving style, which has sparked mixed reactions among experts. His confrontational tactics led to him running afoul of racing regulations during the Mexican Grand Prix, resulting in penalties that prompted calls for him to reconsider his approach. However, Verstappen remains steadfast, unwilling to alter the formula that has brought him three world championships. Ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, Verstappen was ready to address questions about his driving style. Drawing on his decade of experience in Formula 1, he expressed confidence in his methods, dismissing the idea of making changes. He emphasized that he knows what he is doing, having been in the sport long enough to understand the dynamics at play.
In the US Grand Prix, Verstappen had previously benefited from running Norris wide on track, with the British driver receiving a five-second penalty for leaving the circuit while attempting to pass him. However, the situation played out differently in Mexico, where Norris managed to overtake Verstappen after going wide, while Verstappen himself violated track limits. This time, the stewards ruled that Norris’s move was legitimate since he was ahead at the apex, while Verstappen’s track infringement resulted in a ten-second penalty. Additionally, Verstappen incurred another ten-second penalty for gaining an unfair advantage by leaving the track again.
Verstappen’s overly aggressive style has drawn significant criticism from former F1 driver and current Sky F1 commentator Martin Brundle. Brundle expressed his disappointment with Verstappen’s behavior, noting that it could tarnish the legacy of the multiple-time champion.
Max Verstappen Hit With A Post-Sprint Penalty In Sao Paulo
Max Verstappen was handed a five-second penalty after being found guilty of safety car infringement. The Dutchman finished behind the Papaya pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who bagged a 1-2 finish. However, a five-second penalty pushed him to a fourth spot as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc swapped the third spot.
