F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Verstappen: 'On the track you have to be an assh*le!'

When it comes to his behaviour on the race track, Max Verstappen takes no prisoners, believing the end justifies the means.

Admired for his speed and incredible ability, Verstappen has taken F1 by storm since he graduated to Red Bull Racing last season, winning his maiden Grand Prix victory in his first race with the Milton Keynes outfit.

But it hasn't always been clear sailing as far as some of his colleagues have been concerned, some of which have protested the young charger's on-track antics, with Sebastian Vettel his most vocal opponent.

But Verstappen makes no excuses, and rather takes a leaf out of the Michael Schumacher book of racing.

"They can call me what they want, 'Mad Max' or whatever," the teenager told Germany's Sport Bild.

"I say that on the track you have to be an assh*le. Look at Michael Schumacher! At the end of the day, a F1 driver needs to know how to win races and titles, not how to be a nice guy."

Verstappen admits it's not about making friends, and that certainly applies to Vettel, his nemesis.

"I do not expect him to send me a Christmas card or invite me to his birthday," says the Dutchman who says there's a bigger rival to deal with, and one closer to home.

"Daniel (Ricciardo) is a bigger challenge for me," Max insisted.

"When the two of them drove for the same team in 2014, Daniel was stronger."

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

 

 

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Norris and Leclerc agree: Sainz 'deserves to fight at the front'

As Carlos Sainz prepares for a new chapter in his Formula 1 career with Williams,…

6 mins ago

Sebastian Montoya steps up to Formula 2 with Prema

Sebastian Montoya, the 19-year-old son of former Formula 1 star Juan Pablo Montoya, is set…

15 hours ago

Sauber finds its ‘Northern Star’ under Binotto’s leadership

When former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto took on the role of Chief Operating Officer…

16 hours ago

Leclerc hails a season ‘without missed opportunities' in 2024

Charles Leclerc concluded the 2024 F1 season with a sense of satisfaction, the Ferrari driver…

18 hours ago

Coulthard sounds alarm over FIA president’s rift with F1 drivers

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has voiced his dismay at FIA president Mohammed Ben…

19 hours ago

The rapid rise and fall of Super Aguri in F1

Super Aguri's application to join Formula 1 became a reality on this day in 2005,…

21 hours ago