Max Verstappen loves racing, but seems to be ambivalent towards Formula 1. And the events of recent weeks may have cemented that stance. At the Singapore Grand Prix, Verstappen received a punishment from the FIA for swearing in a press conference.
He will have to carry out the F1 equivalent of community service. Verstappen subsequently refused to give detailed answers in the press room, instead addressing the media outside. It was a remarkable spectacle but one that quickly grew tiresome for the three-time world champion.
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesIn the United States, Verstappen made a highly controversial move on Lando Norris on lap 52 to defend third place. Norris was penalised but the Red Bull driver’s tactics came under heavy scrutiny.
And just a week later in Mexico, he received two 10-second penalties after the stewards ruled that he was overly aggressive in another battle with Norris. Those severe sanctions dropped him to sixth place. All the while, he’s enduring a 10-race winless drought – his longest since an 11-race spell in 2020.
Wrestling with a recalcitrant RB20, he’s been in damage limitation mode for months as he seeks to preserve his championship lead. Hans-Joachim Stuck suspects Max Verstappen is ‘planning something’ after Mexican Grand Prix interviewsSpeaking to the German edition of Eurosport, former F1 driver Hans Joachim-Stuck raised doubts over Verstappen’s future in the sport. He’s ‘suspicious’ after the Dutchman’s post-Mexico interviews.
Verstappen joked about changing his approach after his clashes with Norris, but Stuck felt he was otherwise ‘quiet’. He ‘wouldn’t rule out’ the 27-year-old suddenly quitting if he grows ‘fed up’. Red Bull executive director Helmut Marko is taking Verstappen’s retirement threats seriously.
That points to genuine frustration behind the scenes. “He was suspiciously quiet,” said Stuck, who competed in 81 Grands Prix between 1974 and 1979. “Maybe he’s already planning something.
I’m excited to see what happens next. “What I wouldn’t rule out is that he suddenly says: ‘You can all go **** yourself’ and quits. When he’s fed up, he’ll quit – I could well imagine that.
”Lando Norris points to Max Verstappen comments that have aged poorlyThe 1996 world champion Damon Hill feels Verstappen let himself down in Mexico. He loves his ‘massive competitive spirit’ but thought his turn-seven lunge on Norris was unnecessary. Speaking before the race, Verstappen insisted he races to the rules.
Norris pointed out in the press conference afterwards that he hadn’t stayed true to his word. Max’s father Jos Verstappen is angry with Red Bull. He feels his son has to push the boundaries of the rules because his car isn’t good enough to beat them on pure pace.
He retains a 47-point lead over Norris in the standings heading into the Sao Paulo GP. The McLaren must gain an average of 11. 75 points per weekend, though there are two Sprints remaining.
