Damon Hill has harshly criticized Max Verstappen’s aggressive driving style in light of recent events in the United States Grand Prix in Austin and then in Mexico City. Max Verstappen received a total of 20 seconds of penalties at the Mexico GP after his clashes with Lando Norris on the track. With a Red Bull no longer capable of winning, the three-time world champion risks losing his fourth title.
On the Sky F1 podcast, Damon Hill analyzed the situation of the Dutch driver, who has been judged more aggressive than usual in these recent races. “The problem with Max is that he simply refuses to give space to anyone during an overtaking maneuver.” – the former Formula 1 driver pointed out.
The 1996 world champion argued that while other drivers can race “cleanly,” Max Verstappen is incapable of doing so. “It’s not in his philosophy, which states ‘You don’t pass me.’” Damon Hill explained that racing should be fair, without using “one’s car as a weapon and simply blocking every overtaking attempt.”
Commenting on Max Verstappen’s two penalties at the 4.304-kilometre Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, the former Formula 1 driver believes the second maneuver by the Dutchman against Norris was “crazy.”
“He accelerated to the apex and prevented Lando from passing him. It looked like Lando was giving him the opportunity to regain the position. Lando didn’t have many options, and they even made contact, so it was stupid driving. Max let himself go there. He has such brilliance and clearly such a huge competitive spirit, but I don’t think what he did there is something to be proud of,” he concluded.
Damon Hill also analyzed the FIA regulations in these circumstances and believes they are unclear. “The problem is the driver’s behavior on track. This is something I don’t think can be defined scientifically or legally: from there, it depends on the stewards’ point of view.” – he concluded.
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