Max Verstappen’s mother-in-law, Sylvia Tamsma, responded sharply to former F1 world champion Damon Hill following comments aimed at the Dutch driver. Another disappointing weekend saw Verstappen finish only eighth at the Japanese Grand Prix, behind even Pierre Gasly’s Alpine, fueling further criticism of the 2026 cars.
Sylvia Tamsma’s response to Damon Hill
During the BBC’s F1: Chequered Flag podcast, Hill suggested that a break from Formula 1 might be what the four-time world champion needs, hinting at a possible retirement: “If you’re not happy doing something, you can also stop and do something else. I don’t think you should feel obligated to continue.” This was not Hill’s first comment on Verstappen’s struggles with the 2026 cars; he had previously wondered whether the Dutchman should simply “shut up and drive.”
These remarks prompted a response from Kelly Piquet’s mother. “Oh Damon, maybe it’s the people who need a break from your ‘opinions,’” Tamsma wrote on Instagram in reply to Hill’s comments. “It seems like you’re too old to understand that it’s not just Max complaining, but all the drivers. Targeting only Max is pretty mean, don’t you think?”
Verstappen under fire
Max Verstappen has been very vocal about his frustration with the 2026 cars, even suggesting he might retire from Formula 1 and admitting to mentally counting laps during the Suzuka race. His eighth-place finish left him only ninth in the drivers’ standings. Hill was not the only critic: former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya also delivered harsh comments about the Dutchman: “If I were him, I’d stay quiet, accept the situation, and admit I’m frustrated because his car is terrible, weighs 20 kilos more, and will be uncompetitive all season. In the end, no one is bigger than the sport.”
The debate around Max Verstappen highlights the challenges drivers face in adapting to the new 2026 regulations, and the scrutiny only grows as fans and former champions weigh in on every race weekend.
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