Max Verstappen has hit back at 1996 Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill who criticised him over his aggressive driving style, Afrosport reports.
The Red Bull driver has been subject to criticism from the F1 paddock following last weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix where he picked up two 10-second time penalties for incidents with title rival Lando Norris.
The penalties meant Verstappen could only finish sixth, rather than fourth while Norris finished second to cut his deficit in the drivers’ championship to 47 points ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend.
When asked what he thought about Hill’s comments, Verstappen, speaking at Interlagos said: “I don’t listen to those individuals. I just do my thing. I am a three-time world champion. I think I know what I am doing.”
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On whether he will change his driving approach, the former Toro Rosso driver said: “I’ve heard that before right in my career. It’s my 10th year in F1. I think I know what I am doing.”
“I think it’s just you win some, you lose some. That’s how it is in racing in general. I like to win.
“I don’t like to lose. I don’t think many people like to lose. I will try to maximise the results. Some you win, some you lose.”
Verstappen is a two-time winner at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, doing so in 2019 and 2023.