Verstappen claims penalties show he is 'treated differently'
Max Verstappen claims that his Saudi Arabian GP penalties show that he is ‘treated differently’ to other drivers and insists he WON’T change his driving style ahead of F1 title decider with Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi
- Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen head into the final race level on points
- At a chaotic Saudi Arabian GP, Verstappen received two separate time penalties
- Verstappen has been criticised for his driving standards in recent races
- The Dutchman though has insisted that he did nothing wrong at the Saudi GP
- He adds that other drivers race the same way and he won’t change his style
Max Verstappen has insisted that he is ‘treated differently’ to other drivers and won’t change his driving style after receiving two separate time penalties at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman has refused to back down on his belief that he did nothing wrong during the penultimate race of the season, heading into his championship showdown with Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Verstappen, twice ran deep in battles with Hamilton at Turn 1 and was asked to give the position back on both occasions – receiving a five-second time penalty for gaining an advantage off the track.
Max Verstappen could be crowned Formula One champion for the first time on Sunday
In the most controversial moment of the Grand Prix, Verstappen was found guilty after the race of brake checking Hamilton on Lap 37 – after slowing down to let the Brit through resulting in a ten-second penalty.
Hamilton was reluctant to pass Verstappen before the DRS line so he could get the speed advantage on the main straight, before the Dutchman applied the brakes and the Brit damaged his front wing after clipping the rear of the Red Bull.
Reflecting on the race on Thursday, Verstappen said that ‘clearly things don’t apply for everyone’.
Verstappen has been criticised for his wheel-to-wheel battles with Lewis Hamilton in Saudi Arabia
He has questioned why he should change his driving style if others get away with racing in the same way
As reported by Autosport, he said: ‘The things that I did in terms of defending, two other guys in terms of racing also did, and they didn’t even get a mention or a penalty.
‘So I don’t understand, because I thought I was just racing hard. What happened for me didn’t deserve any penalty, and clearly the other two people who did it, they didn’t get one, but clearly it’s only me who gets it.
‘Of course, fighting at the front, people are a bit more critical I guess, but for me I don’t understand.’
The 24-year-old went on to add: ‘I think from my side, what is unfair [is] that I am treated differently to other drivers.’
Asked if he would be changing his approach in light of recent penalties, he questioned why he should his change his style if other drivers get away with racing in the same way.
Hamilton described Verstappen as f****** crazy after their contact in Jeddah
He said: ‘To be honest, the only thing I ask is that it’s fair for everyone, and clearly that’s not the case at the moment.
‘But like I said, I don’t feel like I was wrong, and clearly, it is not wrong for others, so why should I change when others are allowed to race like that?
‘I think everyone should be allowed to race like that.’
Verstappen has come increasingly under fire in recent races, with criticism also thrown his way after his defence against Lewis Hamilton at the Brazilian GP.
Red Bull’s Verstappen looked favourite to claim a maiden title until Hamilton – aiming for a record eighth drivers’ championship – won the past three races heading into the finale at Yas Marina.
Verstappen has drove a brilliant season but Hamilton enters the final race as favourite
Asked if his opinion of Mercedes and Hamilton had altered over the course of the season, the Dutchman replied: ‘Yes, very much so. And not in a positive way.
‘Clearly only I was wrong somehow, like I said other people do exactly the same thing and get nothing.
‘Both of us were off the track into turn one and somehow they judged that it was my fault, that I don’t agree with.
‘The other penalty (causing the collision) as well I don’t agree with, then afterwards he (Hamilton) pushes me off the track, he even looks at me, he doesn’t turn in, he just pushes me outside the white line, the track edge, and he only gets a warning for that.’
There have been plenty of incidents throughout the year, with Verstappen and Hamilton colliding at both the British and Italian Grand.
Verstappen said his opinion of Mercedes and Hamilton has changed over the season
Claims and counter-claims about the legitimacy of their rivals’ cars, personal barbs and shunts on the circuit have punctuated what has already been a season to remember.
Ahead of the weekend, Formula One race director Michael Masi highlighted specific clauses in the FIA sporting code – reminding the racers that if anything untoward happened on track the protagonists could be punished with points deductions.
The most eye-catching point pulled out by Masi included: ‘The stewards may also decide to impose the following penalties: Suspension for one or more competitions, withdrawal of points for the championship, cup, challenge, trophy, series.’
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