Max Verstappen repeated on Thursday that he does not intend to change his aggressive racing style despite much criticism from fellow Formula One drivers.
The under-fire Dutch teenager sensation who won his debut race with Red Bull at the Spanish Grand Prix in May, said incidents that took place at last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix were now in the past.
“The way I drive brought me to Formula One, so I don’t think there is any reason to change -- I didn’t get any penalties,” he said.
Verstappen was involved in a first corner collision with both Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen in Spa.
He blamed Vettel for the accident, which left them all with damaged cars.
“I understand that I am very aggressive in my defending, but that’s how you score points at the end of the day as well -- you keep them behind.
“It’s not because other drivers tell me to change my driving style that l will change my driving style.”
Verstappen had subsequently clashed several times with Raikkonen, later saying that he drove with greater aggression because he wanted to prove a point.
On Thursday, he told reporters that he was not interested in re-visiting last Sunday’s incidents to clarify anything.
{{/usCountry}}On Thursday, he told reporters that he was not interested in re-visiting last Sunday’s incidents to clarify anything.
{{/usCountry}}“To be honest, for me, Spa is done,” he said.
“I think, in general, it was a great weekend.
“I enjoyed it a lot, especially to see so many fans coming to the track with the orange colours!
“It was amazing to see. So for me what happened in the race can happen sometimes, but I just focus ahead to Monza now and this race.”
Verstappen’s driving, especially his aggressive defending, is expected to be one of the topics for discussion in Friday’s drivers’ briefing.