Brundle: Rivals should “goad” Verstappen into a race ban

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Ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle has suggested that McLaren and Ferrari should adopt a calculated strategy to push reigning champion Max Verstappen over the edge on in Sunday’s race, in a bid to cost the Red Bull charger a race ban.

Brundle believes the Dutch driver’s aggressive driving style – and his precarious position just one penalty point shy of a compulsory one-race suspension – provides a rare opportunity for rivals to gain the upper hand.

In Sky F1’s coverage in Montreal, Brundle outlined the mindset he’d adopt if he were lining up alongside Verstappen

"Goad Him" Tactics

“He’s an aggressive driver. He was from the get‑go in Formula 1, and that’s how he rocks and rolls,” Brundle said on Verstappen.

“You can’t cherry pick the bits you like about a sports person; that’s how Max goes racing, and he’s won the last four World Championships.

“And he would say, tell me exactly which bit of that is completely wrong. That’s how he is.

“If I was a Mercedes, Ferrari or in particular a McLaren driver, I’d be goading him to get those extra [penalty] points, because I think subconsciously, he knows he’s got to be a touch more careful.”

Brundle didn’t accuse Verstappen of unfair driving – he simply sees an opening for his rivals who should see him as a driver edging too close to a milestone that would rule him out of Austria and likely tilt the championship battle significantly.

Dominance vs Discipline

It’s no secret that Verstappen’s aggression has fueled his tremendous success – four straight world titles attest to that. But Brundle also argued that it's a double-edged sword.

“He’s got such amazing car control that he can place his car, he knows the rules. He chances his luck, and more and more, he’s starting to lose out on that,” said the former F1 driver.

Read also:

Norris: Verstappen will ‘fight more’ despite ban threat

With 11 penalty points on his license, Verstappen must now tread more carefully than ever. Any further incident in Montreal – or the following Austrian Grand Prix –could result in a one-race suspension, potentially reshuffling the championship leaderboard.

Brundle’s unorthodox suggestion injects added intrigue into driver strategy this weekend: will rivals press their advantage and push Verstappen to his limit, or will they play it safe and let the Red Bull man run clear?

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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.