Max Verstappen showed his frustration during Thursday’s press conference ahead of the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, brushing off repeated “trap” questions about his penalty points situation and future with Red Bull.
The Dutchman enters the weekend still carrying 11 penalty points on his FIA Super Licence and will need to avoid trouble in Austria to escape a race ban.
Verstappen was quizzed multiple times on the matter ahead of the weekend in Canada, to which he labelled such questions as ‘childish‘ and admitted they were ‘pissing him off‘.
However, he was asked once again at the Red Bull Ring if the situation would change his approach to the racing weekend.
The four-time World Champion replied: “You’re joking? Is this like a trap? I’m getting this question every single time, every weekend.
“Sorry, this is the last one. I have nothing to add.”
Another topic surrounding the Red Bull driver is his future with the Milton Keynes-based squad amid struggles with the balance and performance of the car.
Over the past year, Verstappen’s future at Red Bull has frequently been under the spotlight — especially amid speculation linking him to Mercedes and Aston Martin.
Yet he’s consistently reaffirmed his commitment as he tied down to deal lasting until the end of the 2028 season.
This week at the Red Bull Ring, he made it clear that his focus was on track: “Oh, I’ve had that question before as well in my life… You want me to repeat what I said last year?
“I don’t even remember what I said last year, really. It’s just driving on, trying to push the performance and then we focus on next year.”
Verstappen confident despite not being the favourite at Red Bull Ring
The 27-year-old boasts the best record at the Red Bull Ring with five wins — more than any other driver — secured in 2018, 2019, twice in 2021, and again in 2023.
When asked if that history gives him confidence for another victory this weekend, he said: “Well, I mean, there are no guarantees. We’ll always, of course, try to do our best.
“In the past, yes, we’ve had a lot of great races here. I mean, some, I think, back then were also unexpected wins.
“So, in a way, maybe we come into this weekend again not as [the] favourite[s] for sure.
“But I know that myself and the team will always try to optimise everything that we can.
“It looks like quite a warm weekend as well, so it’s going to be tough to make the tyres last anyway.
“But I’m excited, I’m here to do the best I can and, of course, I hope to be on the podium.”
READ MORE – Max Verstappen ‘pissed off’ at ‘childish’ questions over potential F1 race ban in Canada
