Max Verstappen expressed that it’s “quite impressive that people can read my mind” regarding criticism aimed at his driving in the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s racing came under the microscope again in Austin last weekend as he went unpunished over clashes with Lando Norris at the start and the closing laps.
The Dutchman inherited third when the stewards deemed that Norris gained an advantage when he made a pass outside track limits at Turn 12 and he was penalised.
Norris slammed the verdict to add five seconds to his race time, citing that Verstappen going deep into the corner gave him no option but to run outside the white line.
READ MORE: Lando Norris: Max Verstappen’s intentions ‘clear’ in F1 racing situations
Meanwhile, Norris has since said that Verstappen having shoved him wide at Turn 1 on the first lap shows that his intentions are “clear” when it comes to their battles.
However, Verstappen has hit back at those who have condemned his tactics to keep Norris at bay, claiming that he did attempt to make the corner on both occasions.
“Yeah, it’s quite impressive that people can read my mind,” Verstappen told media including Motorsport Week in Mexico. “It’s crazy.
“I mean, I always tried to make the corner. I didn’t want to look for a shortcut. I don’t even know what to answer to this bit.”
The two have not spoken since the clash, but Verstappen has said that he sees no reason to discuss the matter with Norris as both want their battles to remain tough.
“We always said that we wanted to race each other hard,” he added. “That’s what we like to do.”
Verstappen warns F1 could become overregulated
Verstappen escaping a penalty has prompted numerous drivers to underline that revisions must be made to the racing guidelines to prevent such inconsistent rulings.
However, the reigning champion has cautioned that the series might end up becoming too overregulated should the possible changes that materialise be too extreme.
“Yeah, I mean, I think we are getting to a stage where I almost need the book in the car,” he remarked. “That’s how it is.
“I mean, I think if you look, of course, over the years, the book has grown quite a lot.”
Asked whether he thinks about the regulations when engaged in wheel-to-wheel combat, Verstappen replied: “Yeah, of course.
“When you have the situation like we have with the racing guidelines now, they try and specify so many things.”
Verstappen cites danger in rule changes
Verstappen has acknowledged there will be no ideal middle ground to be sought as however the stewards are told to manage racing situations will incite controversy.
“It is definitely over-regulated,” he reiterated.
“But then I also, I can see the other point of if we take rules away, and then there is again an incident like, no, we need more rules, we need to be stronger on this.
“It’s always the same thing, because in the past we had maybe some lesser rules, and then you have the same argument.
“No, we need to be stronger on this or that. It’s always the same story.”
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton: ‘Grey area’ F1 rules have favoured Max Verstappen
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