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Max Verstappen hits out at FIA steward working at Brazilian GP as war of words continues
Max Verstappen has responded strongly to FIA steward Johnny Herbert’s comments regarding his driving during the Mexican Grand Prix, where Herbert accused the Red Bull driver of deliberately forcing Lando Norris off the track at Turn Eight. Following the race, Verstappen received two 10-second time penalties for his actions, including one for running Norris wide at Turn Four and a more serious one for a controversial maneuver at Turn Eight, where overtaking is uncommon.
Herbert, a former Formula 1 driver, expressed frustration with Verstappen’s aggressive tactics, stating that such behavior was unnecessary given Verstappen’s exceptional skills and current championship standings. He suggested that Verstappen, at this stage in the competition, should focus on avoiding unnecessary risks and maintaining a clean race strategy. Herbert emphasized that Verstappen should not feel compelled to engage in dangerous driving to benefit others, implying that his actions could be seen as a means to help Ferrari secure a favorable finish.
Verstappen, however, took exception to Herbert’s accusations, labeling them as extreme and unfounded. He emphasized that he did not intend to drive Norris off the track and criticized the notion that Herbert could know his true intentions. During a media session leading up to the Brazilian Grand Prix, Verstappen defended his racing style, stating, “I didn’t do anything on purpose. They can’t look inside my head. It’s a pretty extreme accusation. We just raced hard.” He acknowledged the complexities of racing, suggesting that decisions made in the heat of the moment can often be scrutinized differently in hindsight.
The Red Bull driver further pointed out the importance of having a competitive car to avoid situations that might lead to penalties. He stated, “You win some, you lose some. It depends. Every situation is different and in hindsight, it’s always easy to have another look at it. It happened, we just have to make sure we have a more competitive car so we don’t end up in that situation again because that’s where it starts.” This remark indicates Verstappen’s understanding that race conditions can be unpredictable, and his focus remains on improving his team’s
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