Martin Brundle has launched a scathing attack on Max Verstappen’s racecraft at the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix, accusing him of tainting his legacy in the sport.
Verstappen, who has not won a race since before the summer break, attracted widespread condemnation for his driving standards defending from rival Lando Norris.
Norris’ aggressive move into Turn 4 caught Verstappen by surprise, forcing his rival wide but falling foul of the much debated ‘ahead at the apex’ rule mandated by the FIA.
On the same lap at Turn 7, the Red Bull’s move on the McLaren took both drivers off the track, both incidents resulting in a 20-second penalty, ruining the Dutchman’s race.
Unrepentant in the media pen after the race, he has refused to give his thoughts on the penalties, stating that Red Bull’s lacklustre race pace led to his extreme defending.
However, writing in his Sky Sports F1 column, Brundle admitted that Verstappen resorting to such tactics in an attempt to protect his points lead was an unpleasant sight.
“In Turn 8 [sic], unquestionably not a usual overtaking place, Verstappen, presumably feeling that Norris had passed him off the track, simply threw his car up the inside of the McLaren,” Brundle explained.
“He must have known this could have instantly taken them both out of the race but Norris was ready for it.
“It was another 10-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage, but frankly it could easily have warranted a pit lane drive-through for dangerous driving.
“It was quite a shocking move which took them both way off the track and allowed Charles Leclerc through for a Ferrari 1-2 at that time.
“That delay for Norris, and subsequently having to follow Verstappen until the Dutchman pitted on lap 26, possibly cost him victory given his pace in the final stages of the race.
“I know that Max doesn’t care what anybody thinks, but it saddens me when he drives like that.
“He’s a multiple champion, has more driving talent in his little finger than most of us ever had, but his legacy will be tainted by this sporting attitude and that’s a shame,” he concluded.
Brundle calls driving standards into question
Brundle was particularly brutal when speaking after the race, calling his racecraft “dangerous” and accusing Verstappen of losing his cool when Norris attempted to pass him.
“The first one was rude and cheeky, the second one was just plain dangerous,” he continued. “That’s just about a full pit stop for a penalty,” he said.
“The second one I was particularly upset about. This [Turn 4 incident] is all the squabble over apex and outside and inside, and he simply didn’t leave racing room.
“This [Turn 7] is just a red mist moment – and actually a ridiculous moment.
“He’s just carried on the throttle and taken the pair of them off and I think he’s lucky he didn’t get a drive-through penalty or something like that actually.
“I’m so in awe of Max, and I hate it when he does that sort of thing, because he’s better than that. He’s too good to drive like that.
“I honestly think that was a short-fuse red mist,” he explained.
Aggressive driving over the limit
Brundle elaborated that he believed frustration drove Verstappen’s controversial driving, also citing that the second incident went “past the limits” of acceptable driving.
“I think it was all to do with the Turn 4, the previous incident as it were, and it cost him more dearly,” he highlighted.
“But I think he’s carrying some frustration because he’s got the third-fastest car on the track at the moment.
“We know he’s feisty, we know he’s aggressive and that’s what you want to see in your Formula 1 racing.
“That’s what we’ve always enjoyed whether it was Senna v Prost, or Senna v Mansell, or Mansell v Piquet, all through the decades were about that.
“But then there is a limit and that second incident was way past the limit,” he confirmed.
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