Max Verstappen has received support from some of his fellow F1 drivers amid recent criticism over his driving style. The reigning world champion was involved in three controversial incidents in the triple-header.
First, he tested the limits of the regulations in the United States as he defended against Lando Norris. The McLaren driver overtook him outside the bounds of the track, but he felt he was forced wide before doing so.
Many of his peers agreed, pointing out that he was clearly ahead when they applied the brakes. However, some drivers sided against Norris and insisted Verstappen’s tactics were hard but fair.
Norris received a five-second penalty for that move, but it was Verstappen who was punished by the FIA in Mexico. There were two 10-second sanctions – one for pushing Norris onto the grass at turn four, and another for re-passing him off the circuit at turn eight.
Martin Brundle led the criticism of Verstappen, calling the second manoeuvre ‘ridiculous’. This forced him firmly onto the defensive before his brilliant victory in Brazil.
Much to the surprise of Ted Kravitz, Esteban Ocon was Verstappen’s ‘biggest supporter’. Ocon, who previously had an altercation with the Red Bull driver after a race at Interlagos, felt it was legitimate to go to extreme lengths in search of a championship.
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