Martin Brundle has offered a word of advice to Max Verstappen, suggesting the current championship leader should focus on racing insisting his combative stance against the FIA is a waste of energy.
Verstappen recently found himself at odds with the governing body over what he perceives as a heavy-handed punishment linked to president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s fresh clampdown on swearing by drivers, on the track and off it.
The Red Bull driver’s frustrations were sparked by a community service penalty imposed by the FIA after he swore during a press conference in Singapore as he described his struggling RB20 car as “f***ed”.
In response, the three-time world champion protested by giving terse answers in the FIA’s Friday press conference at Marina Bay. His defiance drew both support and criticism with Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris backing their colleague, while others questioned his actions.
Brundle, however, believes that Verstappen's combative stance against the FIA is counterproductive.
“They are the referee, they are the police, the judge and the jury,” Brundle told Sky Sports. “I don’t know why Max is wasting his energy, I really don’t.”
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The former F1 driver emphasized that Verstappen, as a world champion and a role model for the sport, should conduct himself with more decorum.
“Over swearing? He’s a world champion, a triple-champion who could be a quadruple-champion soon. What’s the point?
“He is a role model. He represents Formula 1, he represents his team, he represents his country. He wants to speak however he wants to. But gratuitous swearing in press conferences?
“Really, is it necessary? What’s the point?”
While the Verstappen-FIA feud continues to simmer, the focus has also shifted to the ongoing championship battle.
McLaren’s Norris, who heads to Austin with a deficit narrowed down to 52 points in the Drivers’ standings, has emerged as a formidable challenger to Verstappen's dominance.
Brundle believes the Briton has the pace and skills to take on and beat his Dutch opponent.
“He’s got the speed. The team have a great car,” said the Sky F1 commentator. “Lando is learning, growing, becoming more comfortable.
“Chasing and being chased are different stories in any sport. When he gets near to winning the championship, this year or next year, how strong is his head?
“You don’t know with anybody until that moment arrives. But he has the raw speed.”
Brundle emphasized that Norris' recent victories and podium finishes will have boosted his confidence.
“In Austria we saw them trip over each other. Lando underestimated his mate, Max, and how aggressive he would be in combat. He learned from that,” he said.
“He is still on an [upwards] slope in terms of learning. Winning races, he has started to do that. Leading from pole, he has sorted that out. The way he won in Holland and Singapore were just incredible.
“All of those things will give him confidence.”
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