Verstappen shrugs off Mexico GP criticism: 'I know what I’m doing'

A defiant Max Verstappen shrugged off the criticism of his aggressive moves in the Mexico City Grand Prix, maintaining that, as a three-time Formula 1 World Champion, he knows exactly what he’s doing.

The Red Bull driver came under fire after clashing with title rival Lando Norris in last weekend’s race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, incidents that resulted in a pair of time penalties imposed by the stewards totaling 20 seconds.

Pundits took aim at the Dutchman, accusing him of unsporting and reckless antics, with F1 world champion Damon Hill calling Verstappen’s tactics “Dick Dastardly stuff”, while his fellow Sky F1 colleague Martin Brundle warned that the Red Bull charger’s legacy is at risk of being tainted by his poor sporting attitude out on the track.

Verstappen, however, remained unrepentant, dismissing the judgments.

"I don't listen to those individuals,” he said. “I just do my thing. I'm a three-time world champion, I think I know what I'm doing. I have my opinions, but I don't need to share them."

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Verstappen defended his approach in Mexico, describing it as part of the natural give-and-take in racing.

“I think it’s just you win some, you lose some. That’s how it is in racing in general,” he explained. “I like to win. I don’t like to lose. I think not many people like to lose. I just tried to maximize the result, and like I said, some you win, some you lose.”

On the topic of racing regulations, Verstappen suggested the sport may be overregulated, adding that drivers and fans alike often find the rulebook restrictive.

“I think it’s not that straightforward, clearly even between how many seconds [of time penalties] that you get,” he said. “Like I said before, sometimes they work for you, sometimes they work against you.

“It’s never going to be perfect because even if you remove rules, then you get into a battle, then you want more rules because it’s not clear what is allowed or not. Then when you have too many rules, you want less rules. It just keeps on going left and right all the time.”

As for whose feedback he does pay attention to, Verstappen says he values objectivity and ignores those he perceives as simply stirring the pot.

“People that are objective and close to me and not just there to stir [things up],” he explained.

“Some people are just being very annoying. I know who these people are, although I don’t really pay a lot of attention to them anyway.

“I think I’ve got to this stage in my career with the right people supporting me and making my own decisions,” he said, adding that he’s surrounded by “good people with a good heart from the outside.”

Verstappen’s focus remains clear: stay above the noise and let his performance speak.

“Some people are just a bit biased and I mean, I get it, it’s fine,” he said. “But it’s not my problem at the end of the day. I just continue with my life and I keep performing.”

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