Damon Hill continues to criticize Max Verstappen’s “fear and intimidation” tactics

1996 year F1 World champion Damon Hill remained steadfast in his criticism Max Verstappenat the Mexico City Grand Prix, describing his tactics as “using fear and intimidation.”

Verstappen’s driving in Mexico became a hot topic after he was handed a 20 second penalty.

The Dutchman forced a rival for the F1 title Lando Norris went off the track in turn four, earning the first of two 10-second penalties.

He then tried an optimistic move in Turn 7, when both drivers spun out.

Hill was critical of Verstappen’s driving, describing his wheeled racing car as “Dick Sneaky” from “Frank Races”.

When asked about Hill’s comments, Verstappen took a defensive stance at the FIA press conference, saying “I don’t listen to those people”.

Hill backed up his criticism of Verstappen when speaking before practice in Brazil.

“I think he’s using fear and intimidation,” Hill said. “He also explained a bit more about his tactics, which was that he sees it as a game of chance. Sometimes it can pay off, sometimes he can get the better of the stewards, they may not apply the penalty.

“He’s also using it as a way to compromise title challenger Lando Norris. So there is some logic, there is some method to his anger. He says he knows what he’s doing, but is it right and honest.”

Hill also denied claims of any bias or “vendetta” against Verstappen.

“They also don’t want dangerous situations like lane changes under the braking zone and other things like that, which he also did a lot,” he added.

“So they added rules to cover that. When he talks about individuals, they are not individuals. This is almost universal disapproval.

“That’s the point. This is not a vendetta against Max. It’s just that the people who watch the races want them to be played sensibly and fairly. If everyone did it, it would be pointless, pointless and not worth watching. We like close races. We are in Sao Paulo, where it all began in 2021, when he entered the fourth turn. And everybody went, wait a minute, you can’t just push a guy out of the way to defend yourself, and he’s still doing it.”