The supposed fiery temper of Max Verstappen has been questioned by James Hinchliffe, who hints at a very different relationship between Red Bull and the four-time Formula 1 champion.
Verstappen has garnered a reputation for his no-nonsense and blunt nature to the media at race weekends, recently kicking out a journalist of a media session in Suzuka.
This is a reputation that has grown throughout his tenure in the sport, with fans mostly seeing this one-sided version of Verstappen, dividing F1’s fanbase.
However, the four-time world champion is known away from the track for being calm, methodical and engaging, a far cry from his image on a race weekend.
Hinchcliffe highlighted the differences between his press comments and how he works with the team.
We don’t know what’s happening back at the factory,” he said on the F1 Nation podcast.
“Comments in the press are one thing. What’s said behind closed doors, I think, is a very different thing… We don’t know what he’s saying in the garage. Maybe he’s already done that.
“I can think back to races over the last couple of years, where the balance isn’t great. Max is having an okay session or an okay race. And if you listened to his radio, you would think that he was having the worst grand prix that any driver has ever experienced in their life. That’s Max.
“And I think everybody that works at Red Bull knows that, to a certain extent, Max’s emotions can outweigh the actual feelings within the camp…
Max Verstappen to galvanise Red Bull?
Hinchcliffe believes that, given Red Bull’s current on-track struggles, now is the time for the Dutchman to rally the team, and use his unique abilities inside the car to put team member’s minds at ease.
“This is a time to galvanise the team behind him,” he added.
“They’re so used to winning over the last half-decade, and they’re not in that position right now, but they’ve proved that they can make a comeback when properly motivated and heading in the right direction.
“But I think the people there know Max, they believe in Max.
“When he is strapped into that car, he is driving to within 100 per cent of his ability. And that’s what a team wants to know – is that the 100 per cent effort they’re putting in behind the scenes to build a better car is being matched by the driver inside the car.
“Take soundbites out of it, I’d be surprised if anyone on the team could argue Max isn’t doing that part.
“Can the cheerleading part maybe get a big better? Maybe. We don’t know what’s being said behind closed doors.
“But I think they’ve got faith in what he’s doing behind the wheel.”
Verstappen is a complex character and one of the sport’s blockbuster personalities. His skills will prove vital in Red Bull exiting its current malaise.
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