Max Verstappen says his three Method 1 drivers’ championships present he is aware of race following criticism of his driving forward of this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The stewards gave Verstappen two 10-second time penalties for his driving in Mexico Metropolis, the place he twice was deemed to have pressured Lando Norris off observe. Following feedback from 1996 world champion Damon Hill that one of many strikes amounted to “foolish driving,” Verstappen dismissed criticism from these he’s not near.
“I don’t hearken to these people, I simply do my factor,” Verstappen stated. “I’m a three-time world champion. I feel I do know what I’m doing.
“I’ve heard [criticism of his approach] earlier than in my profession. It’s my tenth 12 months in Method 1. Some individuals are only a bit biased and I imply — I get it, it’s wonderful. However it’s not my downside on the finish of the day. I simply proceed with my life and I preserve performing.”
Verstappen says he does take onboard recommendation from individuals he trusts, however believes some pundits’ opinions are irrelevant given the variety of races and titles he has already received.
“[I listen to] individuals which can be goal and near me and never simply there to stir… I can’t say the phrase as a result of I’ll most likely get one other [fine],” he stated. “Apparently it solely counts for me anyway, as a result of after the race in Mexico, somebody was swearing — I didn’t hear something from it! So, it’s higher I don’t swear once more.
“However some individuals are simply being very annoying and I do know who these individuals are. I don’t actually pay a number of consideration to them anyway and I feel I’ve acquired to this stage in my profession with the best individuals supporting me and making my very own choices. Yeah, so I feel I do know what I’m doing.”
After being penalized twice in Mexico Metropolis however seeing Norris decide up a penalty at Circuit of The Americas, Verstappen stated there isn’t a apparent repair to the scenario surrounding racing tips and that there’ll all the time be debates over what’s or isn’t honest.
“I feel it’s not that simple. Clearly, even between what number of seconds [penalty] that you just get,” he stated. “So, typically they be just right for you, typically they work towards you.
“I feel it’s by no means going to be good as a result of even should you take away guidelines, then you definately get right into a battle, then you definately need extra guidelines as a result of it’s not clear what’s allowed or not. Then when you’ve got too many guidelines, you need much less guidelines. It simply retains on going left and proper on a regular basis.
“Do I feel it’s overregulated? Most likely sure. Generally, the rulebook is barely getting larger and greater each single 12 months, I don’t suppose that’s all the time the best approach ahead.”
