'We are here for ourselves and for Red Bull,' reminds Jos Verstappen

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With his incisive driving and no-compromise approach to racing, Max Verstappen has instilled a much-needed burst of fresh air into Grand Prix racing.

But the young Dutch prodigy has also come under fire from some of his colleagues, notably Sebastian Vettel, who believe his aggressive defending and overtaking approach puts them at risk.

Verstappen's father Jos believes complaints and criticism are vain however, as the Red Bull driver is on a mission to race and win, and objections from his colleagues will change nothing.

"We are not here for somebody else," said Verstappen.

"We are here for ourselves, we are driving for Red Bull, and we want to have the best possible result for them. Whatever people think and if they are pissed off – they have to remember he is here to race.

"It was the same with Seb [Vettel in Brazil]. I think it was a good move. He tried to overtake Seb at Turn 4 it didn't work out. Seb pushed him a little bit wide and Max did the same, and that is what people want to see.

"Sometimes it works out for Max, sometimes it works out for Seb. This is what we want to see."

Still, Verstappen's ambitious and determined attitude prompted Mercedes boss Toto Wolff to phone the youngster's father on the eve of the Brazilian Grand Prix, to make sure he was fully aware of what was at stake with regard to the epic championship battle between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.

"We are not there to influence anything," Verstappen senior insists.

"We're just here to do our own race like what you saw in Brazil, we are not here to take anybody out.

"We are racing for Red Bull and they have done an incredible job with Max. He loves it here, and he enjoys the racing."

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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.