Verstappen Talks About His Way Of Handling Outside Criticism

Thursday, 02 January 2025 at 12:56

Red Bull Racing F1 driver Max Verstappen shared his approach to handling criticism and ensuring it doesn't lead to self-doubt.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen probably faced more criticism than anyone else in the paddock throughout the 2024 season.

A few examples include criticism of his communication with his engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, in Hungary, sim racing during race weekends, his aggressive racing style, and his use of offensive language.

F1 pundits did not always have the best thing to say about the 27-year-old Red Bull driver. Verstappen faced probably the biggest wave of criticism after the Mexico City Grand Prix, where he received a 20-second penalty for his incident with Lando Norris.

Numerous former F1 drivers, including Martin Brundle, Damon Hill, Johny Herbert, and others, slammed Verstappen and his driving style at the time.

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What was the Dutchman's response? "I'm a three-time world champion. I know what I'm doing." When asked in an interview with Sportskeeda how he approaches criticism and ensures that it doesn't lead to self-doubt, Max Verstappen said:

"It's not about having self-doubt or whatever. When people are critical, I will speak my mind as well, they are critical, I'm going to say what I think of that."

"I don't let anyone take advantage or run over me or whatever. I speak my mind and if I'm not happy with something or I don't agree with something, I will tell the particular person or whoever."

When the Red Bull Racing F1 driver was asked if he felt that his responses to criticism were usually fairly and accurately portrayed and received, he replied:

"Not always, but I think that's also a bit, you know, to try and stir it all up. For me, you know, when people ask me a question most of the time I will give an answer and my honest opinion about it."