Max Verstappen is probably the most popular driver on the grid according to his boss, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, who describes recent criticism levelled against the Dutch driver 'unjustified'.
Verstappen has come under fire from certain rival drivers for his forceful defending and aggressive overtaking, but Marko has dismissed the complaints as the stewards saw no reason to punish him, adding that he believes they're the mark of a future champion.
"Nothing is justified," he told the official Formula 1 website when asked about the criticism. "Max is a different calibre. He has the traits of a future world champion and he is just doing what is necessary to get there.
"It obviously surprises some that this also involves overtaking and defending.
"If there had been something gravely wrong the stewards would have penalised him."
The Austrian suspects the complaints are coming from the older drivers rather than the new breed and reckons Verstappen's actions have propelled him to the top of the personality rankings, making him the most liked driver from a fan perspective.
"We are lacking strong personalities lately," he added. "On top, there are drivers doing their last season so they are complaining about Max, about safety, about anything. With Max here is someone who is really young with a strong idea of what he wants – and he is not shy of trying to get it, of trying to be successful.
"The reaction of the fans plays to his advantage: I would say he is probably now the most popular driver on the grid – worldwide."
