Martin Brundle believes Max Verstappen should show “more diplomacy” in order to preserve his legacy in F1. However, the Sky Sports expert admits he is confused as to why the three-time world champion is considered a villain by some fans.
Verstappen won for the 19th time this year in the season finale in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. He had already won his third successive title seven weeks earlier in what was a one-way street in the driver standings.
The Red Bull finished with over double the points of his team-mate Sergio Perez in second. Verstappen grabbed headlines earlier this month with his opinion on the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The 26-year-old made it clear he was not a fan of the street track and the “show” that surrounded it. Brundle has now advised Verstappen, insisting he can continue to be honest in interviews but perhaps with more “balance” to his views.
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Brundle wrote in his Sky Sports column: “[Verstappen] had a very vocal downer on Las Vegas, which didn’t make a whole lot of sense to express in that way, although he warmed up to the event on race day after yet another victory.
“I like that Max speaks his mind and I’ve always found him very refreshing to interview, and also simply to chat to in the paddock. He’s very direct and honest, what you see is what you get, and he clearly doesn’t care all that much what others think.
“I can’t help but feel that a little more diplomacy and balance would be more fitting to the legacy he will leave, and after all, we are all only guardians of this great sport as we pass through.”
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Verstappen was booed by some fans following his victory in Abu Dhabi at the weekend. Brundle senses a “villain” status but can’t understand why the Dutchman is viewed as one.
He added: “Max didn’t get everything right, for example when the drivers walked out to the grid for the traditional end-of-season group photograph there were some boos as he emerged, as we’ve heard at some other tracks too.
“Of course, he was feisty and a little wild as a teenager when first racing in F1, but he sorted that out and is mostly a model of calm out on track now, and as fair as anybody else when it comes to hard racing.
“I don’t understand why he’s still seen as the villain, but the fans will make up their own minds.”
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