Max Verstappen’s ability to operate on the boundary of Formula 1’s sporting rules makes him exceptionally difficult for stewards to judge, according to FIA steward Vitantonio Liuzzi. The former Toro Rosso and Force India driver believes the Dutch world champion positions his car at the limit of legality during incidents, leaving officials with complex decisions that are often much clearer when other drivers are involved.
Earlier in Max Verstappen’s career, some borderline manoeuvres were regarded as the product of the youthful bravado of a champion who already understood his own ability. Over time, however, that confidence has developed into an extremely skilful reading of the regulations—one that places Max Verstappen in the same tradition as Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.
How Max Verstappen pushes F1 rules to the limit
Max Verstappen is a generational talent who has placed the FIA under enough pressure to prompt specific directives relating to his driving conduct. Even when executing his most aggressive manoeuvres, the Red Bull driver understands the fine distinction between what is clearly permitted and what remains open to interpretation.
On some occasions, Max Verstappen has knowingly accepted a penalty when doing so could help him maximise the overall result of a race weekend. Dismissing every controversial move as simple misconduct would therefore overlook the calculation behind many of his decisions.
The contact with George Russell at last year’s Spanish Grand Prix may be an exception. That appeared to be an old, irrational reflex driven by the frustration of losing a hugely important podium in the closing stages of the race. The incident nevertheless illustrated the uncompromising streak that continues to define Max Verstappen, whose emotions were again evident in his unbroadcast Hungarian Grand Prix radio messages.
Why Max Verstappen draws comparisons with Ayrton Senna
Jos Verstappen’s son belongs to the small group of drivers capable of operating effectively within the grey areas of Formula 1’s sporting regulations, just as Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher did before him.
Ayrton Senna was disqualified from the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka after rejoining the circuit by cutting the chicane following his collision with Alain Prost. The case pushed the FIA towards stricter requirements governing safe re-entry onto the track and respect for circuit boundaries.
Other incidents, including multiple changes of direction and aggressive defensive moves under braking against Alain Prost, also contributed over time to the codification of the standards of acceptable conduct now covered by Formula 1’s Driving Standards Guidelines.
Michael Schumacher also forced the FIA to react
The same principle applied to Michael Schumacher, who was involved in numerous controversial manoeuvres during his career. Frequently starting from the front row or pole position, Michael Schumacher was known for forcefully squeezing a rival towards the pit wall or the edge of the circuit at the start—a move that became known as the “Schumacher chop”.
Those tactics encouraged the stewards to clarify and strengthen the guidelines governing on-track conduct, including the obligation to leave at least one car’s width between a rival and the edge of the circuit in the relevant circumstances.
Another memorable episode came when Michael Schumacher overtook Fernando Alonso on the final lap while the race was under Safety Car conditions. After the Safety Car entered the pits, Michael Schumacher passed Fernando Alonso shortly before the finish line by exploiting what he believed to be a regulatory grey area, but he was penalised.
Article 40.13 of the FIA Sporting Regulations was consequently made more explicit: when a race ends behind the Safety Car, it enters the pits at the end of the final lap, but overtaking remains strictly prohibited until the chequered flag.
The Rascasse controversy and Nico Rosberg precedent
A few years earlier, Michael Schumacher’s clumsy parking manoeuvre at Rascasse during qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix was punished by sending him to the back of the grid. The stewards were subsequently given the authority to delete all the qualifying times of a driver found guilty of deliberately causing a session suspension or yellow flag.
Years later, however, a similar incident involving Nico Rosberg went unpunished and allowed the German driver to retain pole position. The contrasting outcomes underlined how difficult it can be to prove intent, even when one incident appears reminiscent of another.
Max Verstappen’s understanding of the rules enhances his status
Max Verstappen’s standing in Formula 1 is not solely the product of his extraordinary talent. Like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, his ability to interpret and exploit the sporting regulations has repeatedly forced the FIA to respond.
That understanding makes Max Verstappen difficult for officials to assess and even harder for his rivals to confront. His status has been built not only on outright speed, but also on knowing precisely how far the rules can be stretched before the boundary is crossed.
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