Brundle: Verstappen risks tarnishing legacy with aggressive tactics
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Sky F1's Martin Brundle has issued a stern warning to Max Verstappen, cautioning the Red Bull driver that his legacy could be jeopardized by his recent displays of aggressive driving.
Verstappen's controversial incidents with Lando Norris at the Mexico City Grand Prix, which followed the pair's on-track brawl in Austin, drew another wave of criticism targeting the Dutchman.
Verstappen was twice sanctioned by the stewards at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for his aggressive driving against Norris, with two 10-second penalties raining on the championship leader and relegating him to a sixth-place finish in the race, while his McLaren rival claimed second.
This outcome of the incident-filled race saw the gap between Verstappen and Norris shrink to 47 in the Drivers' standings points with just four races remaining.
Brundle, a massive Verstappen fan, was openly critical of the Dutchman's antics in Sky's post-race coverage, saying "I hate it when he does that sort of thing."
The ex-F1 driver further expanded on his disapproval in his Sky Sports column.
"I know that Max doesn't care what anybody thinks, but it saddens me when he drives like that," the Briton wrote.
"He's a multiple champion, has more driving talent in his little finger than most of us ever had, but his legacy will be tainted by this sporting attitude and that's a shame."
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Brundle also welcomed the stewards' firmer stance in Mexico City after the indulgence they had displayed towards Verstappen in Austin.
"Max Verstappen took two 10-second penalties within four corners, and with decisions that clearly indicated a new firmness from the stewards, which is welcome," he noted.
Explaining the incidents in Mexico, Brundle broke down why the penalties were handed out.
"The first was in Turn Four against championship rival Lando Norris who was passing around the outside. Norris was deemed to be ahead at the entry, apex, and exit and so was entitled to racing room rather than being shoved off," he explained.
"It could have been a five or 10-second penalty but it was deemed that there were no mitigating circumstances and so he got the standard 10 seconds."
He highlighted the aftermath, noting how Norris was momentarily in the lead but had to surrender the position due to going off-track. Brundle found Verstappen's subsequent move even more concerning.
"Shortly afterwards in Turn Eight, unquestionably not a usual overtaking place, Verstappen, presumably feeling that Norris had passed him off the track, simply threw his car up the inside of the McLaren," he wrote.
"He must have known this could have instantly taken them both out of the race but Norris was ready for it. Frankly it could easily have warranted a pit lane drive-through for dangerous driving."
The Sky F1 pundit concluded by expressing shock at Verstappen's tactics and the impact they had on the race.
"It was quite a shocking move which took them both way off the track and allowed Charles Leclerc through for a Ferrari one-two at that time.
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That delay for Norris, and subsequently having to follow Verstappen until the Dutchman pitted on lap 26, possibly cost him victory given his pace in the final stages of the race," Brundle remarked.
In delivering his critique, Brundle's words underline a deeper concern about Verstappen's conduct and its potential to overshadow the accomplishments of a driver often regarded as one of the most talented on the grid.
For Verstappen, the warning is clear: a legacy in Formula 1 is built not just on championships, but on the respect earned along the way.
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