By DCB Editorial, November 1, 2024
The British F1 media—and motorsport media in general—has been piling criticism on Max Verstappen for his pragmatic approach to racing and aggressive defensive driving. You could say that we, the Daily Car Blog, are part of this so-called British media “cabal,” as we’re based in the UK. Indeed, I have been vocal in my criticism of Verstappen’s willingness to disregard the rulebook, bend racing etiquette, and his often uncompromising defensive driving style.
Max will always be Max. He won’t change, and I’ve come to accept—and even appreciate—his approach. After dominating F1 for two straight years and securing back-to-back championships with too much ease Verstappen single handedly turned F1 into the dullest hellscape in sport. Now, with closer competition, we get to watch a more fiery, unpredictable Max Verstappen of old, and I ask you: are you not entertained?
Max will push the limits and test the rules to win; he clearly believes the rules are there to be challenged. Ultimately, it’s up to his rivals to find a way past him, simple as that. How do you outmanoeuvre such a relentless ruthless driver? Either you force your way through, or you outsmart him.
Only two or three drivers have the skill and nerve to stand up to Verstappen’s questionable defensive tactics: Hamilton and Alonso come to mind. As for Lando Norris he deserves credit for his commitment to clean, wheel-to-wheel racing, which is arguably more satisfying than “doing a Verstappen.”
But Norris, vying with Verstappen for the 2024 drivers’ title, isn’t just racing against him; he’s facing a fierce competitor, not a rulebook or a sanitized PR persona. Verstappen is a relentless competitor. He may not be universally liked, but Formula 1 would be a far less thrilling sport without that fiery son-of-a-bitch.
