Max Verstappen hits back at Carlos Sainz over Miami GP incident: “Midfield is a jungle”. Max Verstappen responds to Carlos Sainz’s criticism after a controversial Miami GP battle.

Positions lost and the recovery drive

The start of the Miami Grand Prix was as spectacular as it was risky for several drivers, with cars running extremely close to each other and nearly making contact that could have ended their races already on the opening lap.
That ultimately did not happen, despite a dramatic spin from Max Verstappen, who immediately after Turn 1 managed to regain control of his Red Bull.

The 360-degree spin cost the Dutchman several positions, forcing him straight into recovery mode. Verstappen immediately began his comeback, increasing his aggression level to climb back through the field.

The controversial overtake

The four-time world champion, during this recovery mission, was criticized by Carlos Sainz. After being overtaken in a very aggressive move on the inside by his former Toro Rosso teammate, Sainz suggested that Verstappen believed he could “do whatever he wants”.

Speaking to the media after the race, the Williams driver revisited the incident:

“I probably made one of the best starts of the year and had an incredible launch into Turn 1, but Max ahead of me went into a spin, so I had to slow down – he explained – the drivers were really pushing hard, and I don’t know why; it felt like everyone woke up wanting to crash. There were many cars on track, but I managed to avoid trouble and once the race settled, I recovered one by one and stretched it out to finish in ninth position. I’m happy; it was a solid race. No offence, but what Max did in Turn 17 was almost like a launch, knowing that being in the midfield we couldn’t really fight him and at some point we would have to let him through. There was probably a bit of frustration from the spin and trying to get back to the front as quickly as possible, but that’s racing. I don’t want to criticise him, it’s just that at that moment I felt like we were about to crash, he pushed me off track and I lost three positions.”

The midfield

The Red Bull driver’s response to Sainz’s comments was very short and direct, with Max Verstappen summarising the situation in the midfield battles as follows: “I don’t know, it’s a jungle in the midfield, so I don’t know what to say.”