Verstappen: "Criticism of my driving style was all big bullsh*t!'

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Max Verstappen says he never questioned his driving style this season, even when he came under fire earlier in the year for a string of mistakes and bad judgment calls.

The Red Bull driver had a troubled start to his 2018 campaign, with a series of incidents and mishaps before the summer that called into question his driving, but also his ability to discipline himself and learn from his mistakes.

Eventually however, the 21-year-old put his head down, harnessed the pressure and got his act together, achieving a podium finish in Montreal before winning in Austria and consistently outpacing his team mate Daniel Ricciardo thereafter.

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In hindsight however, he still believes the early criticism was unwarranted.

"Most of it was just very unfair, so of course at one point I get tired of it," Verstappen said.

"I know what I can do, it was just not coming out at the time, so I was working very hard at home to make sure it did come out. And then in Canada it did.

"I think I just needed a break from the bad string of results. I didn’t change anything in the way I was preparing for the weekend because I kept believing in myself that it would turn around."

For all the scrutiny bestowed upon him when he hit his rough patch, Verstappen notes that Sebastian Vettel's recent string of errors haven't generated any calls for the German to change his approach.

"You see even a four-time world champion can make mistakes like that," he added.

"People saying I had to change my driving style, to me that was all big bullsh*t, to be honest.

"They don’t tell Sebastian to really change his driving style, I’ve never seen the headlines like that.

"At the end of the day driving on the limit, sometimes over it to achieve the best out of it, especially at such high speeds… mistakes are easily done."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.