Max Verstappen dismissed criticism as annoying and biased

Max Verstappen has dismissed critics of his recent driving against Formula 1 title rival Lando Norris as “annoying” and “biased” ahead of this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Verstappen received two separate penalties following a pair of incidents with Norris during last weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix, which came a week after the pair had been involved in another contentious moment of wheel-to-wheel action at the United States Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen has dismissed critics of his recent driving against Formula 1 title rival Lando Norris as “annoying” and “biased” ahead of this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Asked specifically about comments made this week by 1996 world champion and Sky Sports F1 pundit Damon Hill, Verstappen replied: “I don’t listen to those individuals. I just do my thing.

“I’m a three-time world champion. I think I know what I’m doing.”

During a dramatic 10th lap in Mexico City, Verstappen ran Norris off the track as the McLaren attempted an overtake around the outside at Turn 4, but, finding himself behind, he then attempted to dive back up the inside a few corners later in a move Norris would describe as “dangerous”.

Some people are just being very annoying, and I know who these people are. I don’t really pay a lot of attention to them anyway. And I think I’ve got to this stage of my career with the right people supporting me and making my own decisions. So, I think I know what I’m doing.”

Asked once more who his trusted advisors are, Verstappen added: “Good people, with a good heart.

“I know, that’s the most important. Some people are just a bit biased. I get it, it’s fine. But it’s not my problem at the end of the day. I just continue with my life and I keep performing.”