To be a worthy champion you must race everyone - Verstappen

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Max Verstappen says the Mercedes drivers should race everyone to ensure one of them is "a worthy champion", following Toto Wolff's concerns.

Wolff contacted Jos Verstappen to express his fear that Max could cause an incident which could cost either Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton the championship. While Wolff played down the conversation, Verstappen says he would not expect a Mercedes drive to be told not to interfere if he and Daniel Ricciardo were going for the title.

“No, I mean we should race, everyone," Verstappen said. "Up until the last they should still try to fight for first. Otherwise you are not a worthy world champion, are you?”

Asked how he will race on Sunday, Verstappen replied: “Same like always, I won’t change approach ... which I think is pretty understandable.”

But Verstappen says he doesn't feel Wolff was telling him not to interfere himself, having been asked if he was surprised by the request.

“No, it’s not really said like that. I think it’s all a bit blown up. I think as a driver you always try to do the best possible job.

“It was just a general chat. I don’t think I need to say everything because it’s also a private call isn’t it. It was not like that.”

And Verstappen says he doesn't see the need to speak to Wolff himself about the conversation the Mercedes boss had with his father.

“No, I haven’t seen him at all ... I mean there’s no reason to talk to him is there? I mean, I’m racing for Red Bull not for Mercedes.”

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.