Max Verstappen pushed Lando Norris to the sting of championship despair earlier than turning his ire on the McLaren star’s alleged supporters within the British media.
In a surprising show of talent, Verstappen clinched victory on the rain-soaked Brazilian Grand Prix, showcasing one of many most interesting drives of his profession and widening his title lead over Norris to 62 factors with simply 86 factors left to contest within the closing three rounds.
However, main as much as this spectacular efficiency, Verstappen confronted criticism from numerous quarters. Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion, likened him to the infamous Wacky Races villain Dick Dastardly, whereas revered broadcaster and former British driver Martin Brundle recommended that Verstappen’s legacy is being tainted following a controversial 20-second penalty in Mexico for forcing Norris off the monitor twice.
FIA steward Johnny Herbert, who gained the 1995 British Grand Prix, claimed Verstappen’s driving had been “harsh” and “over the top,” saying he felt Verstappen had a “horrible mindset.”
After fielding a sequence of questions within the FIA’s official media name following his triumph in Interlagos, Verstappen stated, “I have a quick question. I appreciate all of you being here, but I don’t see any British press. Do they have to run to the airport, or do they not know where the press conference is?”
Frenchman Pierre Gasly, who completed third and was sitting alongside Verstappen, added, “That’s a fair question.”
Verstappen’s drive from seventeenth to first places him on the point of clinching a fourth consecutive championship.
Norris appeared set to chop into Verstappen’s lead after taking pole place. However, the McLaren driver dropped behind George Russell off the beginning line after which ran off the street twice. He completed sixth, half a minute behind his rival.
McLaren crew principal Andrea Stella stated, “Sometimes from the surface, it could come throughout like there was an error there. When you lock the tires with a automotive like he did as we speak, I’m not wanting on the driver; I’m taking a look at why the automotive retains locking the tires.
“The constructors’ championship was at all times our precedence, so this doesn’t change something.
“When it involves the drivers’ championship, I don’t assume for Lando there was any specific strain. We have been having fun with this quest.
“Mathematically, we are still in the championship. For Lando and Oscar (Piastri), we will go and try to win the next races.”
Verstappen will probably be topped champion on the subsequent spherical in Las Vegas on Nov. 23 if he finishes forward of Norris.
Source: www.dailysabah.com