Max Verstappen said he is a tough racing driver and he insists he is not aggressive like others label him. In an exclusive interview with Scott Mitchell of The Race , Verstappen opened up on so many things including recent on track incidents with Mercedes drivers.
Max Verstappen on racing Hard vs racing aggressive
“I feel like I just race hard, I don’t feel like I race aggressive. Of course, I will make it difficult if people will try to pass me. I will always try to make it difficult for them, to put them in difficult positions.
“But I think my awareness of where I can position my car is really good and I haven’t been involved in having another car off the track. I have zero penalty points. I think that says quite a lot.
“I have been racing hard my whole career. And the last few years, the aggressive approach is out. I’m just making it more difficult for people.
“Of course, some people might think a bit different about that, but I actually think that the racing side is a really strong point of mine and I also really know how to stay out of trouble. But that is not always in your hands if other people drive into you.”
Max on Silverstone first lap crash
“I will continue to race like I did. I felt like I didn’t do anything wrong in that fight.
“I gave him more than enough space but he completely misjudged the cornering speeds, and especially the angle he went into that corner there was no way he was going to make the corner with the speed he entered it.
“When you go so close to the inside wall, on the entry to Copse and then still try to do the same speed as I am doing while opening up the corner again and then giving him more than a car width space, you’re going run out of road. But this time he ran into my right rear and caused me to hit the wall.
“I was very well aware where I was positioning my car and I also know that you go in with such a tight angle, especially from his side, from entry to mid to the exit you have to open up the corner, to give him the space. But he still ran out of space.
“From my side I continue to race like I did. And I think he will also learn from what happened there.”
Max on impact of being a title contender on his driving approach
“I feel more relaxed. It feels better to be honest. It’s nice, knowing that you have the car and that I have to do the job. But for me that doesn’t give me any more pressure because that’s what I have to do anyway.
“That’s what I always wanted to do. Otherwise, it’s better to stop, right? If you don’t feel comfortable with trying to perform.
“So, I’m enjoying it a lot. And when you’re at home, you don’t need to think about it.
“I don’t get carried away. I’m just very focused on every single race weekend. It’s a lot better going to race weekend knowing that there is a big chance of fighting for a win compared to just occasionally having a shot at it. So, I feel a lot better.”
