SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Retired world champion Damon Hill doubled down on criticism of Max Verstappen on Friday, a day after Red Bull’s Formula One leader hit back at the Briton’s earlier comments about his driving.
“Yes, I do. I think he’s using fear and intimidation,’ the 1996 world champion, now a pundit for Sky Sports television, said when asked at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix if he stood by his words.
Hill said after last Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix that Verstappen was using the car as a weapon and accused him of “Dick Dastardly stuff” — a reference to the 1960s ‘Wacky Races’ cartoon villain.
Verstappen responded that he was a triple champion, knew what he was doing and did not listen to “very annoying” people who were “a bit biased” and seeking to stir things up.
The 27-year-old was twice penalised in Mexico for forcing his McLaren title rival Lando Norris wide and going off and gaining an advantage.
Hill said Verstappen regarded his tactics as a gamble that sometimes paid off.
“As he says, he knows what he’s doing but is it right? And is it fair?,” asked Hill. “We shouldn’t be condoning driving cars off the track.”
Verstappen is 47 points clear of British rival Norris with four rounds and 120 points still to be won, but the McLaren driver has been whittling away the lead and finished second in Mexico to the champion’s sixth place.
Hill said Verstappen had been consistent from the day he arrived in Formula One and “using what was regarded as dangerous tactics.
“When he makes a point about individuals, it’s not individuals,” he added. “It’s almost universal disapproval. That’s the point.
“It’s not a vendetta against Max, it’s simply the people who watch the racing want it to be conducted in a reasonable and fair way.”
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told Sky that Verstappen’s first penalty was very harsh, although he understood the second one.
“Max will always go for the gap, he’ll always be hard at the apex of a corner,” he added.
“Max has been racing for 20 years now, (taking) the inside line and going for the apex, he’s controlling the corner at that point. That’s what he would have done throughout his career.”
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Ken Ferris)
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