Red Bull Contentpool
F1 News
Criticism does little for Verstappen: 'Don't have the champions' mentality'
Max Verstappen was heavily criticised for his driving style following the Mexico City Grand Prix, where he made ambitious moves on Lando Norris. The Dutchman has no regrets, and argues that those who don't understand why he did that lack the 'champion's mentality'.
Following the Mexico City Grand Prix, McLaren CEO Zak Brown explained that Verstappen does not need to drive that way. "That must have been someone from England," the Dutchman reacted to his words. After he was told it was indeed Brown who said, he added: "Or an American even."
Verstappen has no regrets about his actions in Mexico
Not only Verstappen received heavy criticism after the weekend concluded in Mexico, he also got 20-seconds worth of time penalties from the stewards' as well. That however, has little effect on the now four-time world champion
"They don't have a world champion mentality. I will always go to the limit to always get the maximum out of every race. And then if it has to be so forced, that's just the way it goes," Verstappen said about that Sunday.
Verstappen also underlined he is not afraid to push the limit or even go even further. "I always go for the maximum. Sometimes you then have to go over a limit. That's what I do."
Therefore, the Dutchman does not regret those maneouvres at all. "No. Not that race at all. I think I actually won points there. And as I said, I will always do everything to get the maximum result out of it with me for a championship. And of course sometimes then you have to be on the limit, over the limit. You have to factor all that in and not everyone understands that and not everyone has that mentality," said the Red Bull Racing concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Sandy van Wijngaarden
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!