Max Verstappen was criticised in the last two Grands Prix for his robust driving style against title rival Lando Norris. Although he got away with pushing Norris off track during the US Grand Prix at Austin, Verstappen was handed two 10-second time penalties for more forceful moves in Mexico. Approaching Turn 4, Verstappen made Norris take to the grass and rejoin the track before diving down the inside at Turn 8 and forcing both off.

The stewards investigated both incidents separately and decided that Verstappen was wholly at fault, issuing the standard penalty tariff. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesChristian Horner felt F1 was heading down a dangerous route if they started to penalise moves like Verstappen’s, while Damon Hill felt that the Dutchman ‘let himself down’ in the battle.

Some drew comparisons to the driving once seen by Michael Schumacher, with Max’s father Jos Verstappen drawing comparisons to the seven-time World Champion when speaking to F1 Insider. Jos Verstappen compares Max Verstappen to Michael Schumacher and Ayrton SennaAdrian Newey has highlighted before how Verstappen is often subjected to criticism from the UK media, which fuels some of the hostility fans have whenever an incident is on track. Verstappen believes his son is no different to F1 legends Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, who were also subjected to the same type of media coverage.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend“Max should just carry on driving as he has been doing. I also reminded him that Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher were also often subjected to harsh criticism from England. He is in very good company there,” said Verstappen.

“If Red Bull improves the car, which is currently very difficult to drive, then Sergio Perez can also get back up front and help Max like Piastri does for Norris. ”Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesFormer McLaren mechanic unhappy with ‘out of control Max VerstappenVerstappen’s driving against Norris is likely to continue to be a controversial topic as the title battle between the pair heats up in the final four races of the season.

Norris is now just 47 points behind the Dutchman, who is set to take a grid penalty at one of the next Grands Prix after switching one out during the Mexico GP weekend. READ MORE: What Lando Norris did at the Mexico City Grand Prix that shows his ‘fear’ of Max VerstappenFormer McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley was left unhappy with Verstappen after Mexico, branding him ‘out of control’ and causing a ‘major safety concern’ through his driving. F1 drivers convened during the Mexico GP weekend to clarify some aspects of the driving guidelines, with new rules set to come into force in time for the Qatar GP.