SAO PAULO — Max Verstappen, the reigning three-time Formula 1 champion, stated on Thursday that he is unconcerned with the backlash regarding his racing behaviors at last weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver saw his championship gap over McLaren’s Lando Norris narrow to 47 points following a race where he faced two 10-second time penalties—one for pushing Norris off the track and another for illegally gaining a position after leaving the circuit.
Verstappen made his comments ahead of this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, which will take place at Interlagos.
“This is my 10th year in F1. I am aware of what I am doing,” Verstappen mentioned during a press conference at the São Paulo circuit. “Winning is what I enjoy; I don’t like losing, and I don’t think many people do. I strive to get the best results possible. As I said, sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose.”
After the race, which was ultimately won by Carlos Sainz of Ferrari, the FIA also imposed two penalty points on Verstappen, bringing his total to six within a year.
Currently, Verstappen holds 362 points in the drivers’ championship, with four races and two sprint events remaining. Norris is in second place with 315 points, while Charles Leclerc of Ferrari remains in contention but at a more considerable distance with 291 points.
When asked about comments from 1996 F1 champion Damon Hill, who described Verstappen as overly aggressive, the Dutch driver responded: “I ignore those sorts of opinions. I stick to my own approach. I am a three-time world champion.”
Verstappen emphasized that he listens to feedback from individuals who are close to him and have good intentions, but he dismissed the idea that he takes advice from fellow three-time champion Nelson Piquet.
Meanwhile, Norris, addressing reporters at Interlagos, suggested that Verstappen understands he made errors during the Mexico race.
“I have immense respect for Max and his accomplishments. However, my respect does not extend to his actions last weekend. I regard him as a person and what he has accomplished,” Norris stated. “It’s not my place to counsel him; I am neither his teacher nor his mentor.”
Norris also stated that “deep down, Max recognizes his mistakes” from the Mexico incidents. “He knows he was wrong, and it’s up to him to change, not for me to dictate.”
George Russell, a Mercedes driver and one of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association directors, noted that a post-race meeting in Mexico was constructive, even amidst the conflicts between Verstappen and Norris. He concurred that Verstappen’s actions warranted sanctions.
“If you look at the regulations, there are clarifications that declare if you’re driving dangerously or erratically, you’ll face consequences,” Russell explained. “You could argue that if a driver takes a corner incorrectly and ends up off the track, that’s erratic driving.” He acknowledged that there is a need for better clarity in interpreting the rules.
In the press conference, Verstappen suggested that Formula 1 could be oversaturated with regulations.
“The rulebook seems to be expanding year by year,” stated the three-time champion. “I don’t believe this is the right way to progress.”