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Following the Mexican Grand Prix, former racer Johnny Herbert expressed critical views regarding what he called Max Verstappen’s ‘terrible racing mentality.’ This comment is particularly noteworthy since Herbert served as one of the three FIA stewards at the event in Mexico. In response to this criticism, Verstappen addressed Dutch journalists in Brazil, stating, “Whether it’s crazy for him to say that? Well, at least you know how he feels during the race.”
Focus on Time Penalties Ahead of São Paulo GP
As the upcoming São Paulo Grand Prix approaches this Sunday, much of the discourse revolves around the time penalties Verstappen faced in Mexico due to his encounters with rival Lando Norris, as well as possible tightening of regulations. During Thursday’s FIA press conference, Verstappen was greeted with pointed questions from particularly nationalistic British media outlets. “I’m a three-time world champion, I’ve been in Formula 1 for a decade. I really know what I’m doing,” he asserted confidently.
Verstappen Opens Up in Private Conversations
Later in a more intimate conversation, Verstappen was noticeably more candid. Earlier this season, he received a grid penalty from the FIA for referring to his car’s condition as ‘f***ed’ during a discussion in Singapore. Regarding Herbert, he remarked, “He had a strong opinion ready immediately. He claimed my comments in the press conference weren’t suitable for five-year-olds. But after the recent press conference in Mexico, I noticed he didn’t say a word,” referring to an innocent slip of the tongue by Charles Leclerc, who also used the F-word. Verstappen added with a hint of sarcasm, “Maybe those five-year-olds were already asleep at that point.”
Verstappen’s Response to Herbert’s Criticism
Herbert didn’t hold back in his criticism of Verstappen during the race in Mexico, stating his disdain for the Dutchman’s racing mentality. “If he shows such a dreadful mindset by trying to gain an advantage by taking a fellow driver off the track to facilitate a Ferrari one-two, he should realize this isn’t necessary. Just win in the fairest way possible. Norris spoke of ‘fair racing,’ and that’s what we want to see,” Herbert emphasized.
Max Verstappen tries to not get too distracted by perceived bias from FIA stewards. In Mexico, for instance, Tim Mayer, son of the McLaren founder Teddy Mayer, was among the stewards. Verstappen has stated that he doesn’t delve into who the stewards are before a race weekend. After all, it doesn’t change anything, and the tuning of his RB20 requires his full focus.
Dealing with Criticism from the British Media
Verstappen does acknowledge that the criticism, particularly from British outlets, comes from somewhere. “I really understand how most people think. Everything went perfectly for Red Bull last year, and that must have been difficult for numerous people to accept. Now they finally have a chance to say something negative, so of course, they jump at it. I mentioned last week: I probably hold the wrong passport,” he said, shedding light on the complexities of public perception and rivalry in the sport.
Despite the ongoing rivalry, Verstappen and Norris have maintained their friendship, although the stakes are higher than ever. “You know what? Even if you’re best friends, when you’re competing for a championship, you both give your all. After the incident in Austria, we talked, expressed what was necessary, and acknowledged we must race hard. That hasn’t changed. We both understand we are competing for a world title,” Verstappen concluded.
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