Damon Hill, the former Formula 1 World Champion, has come out swinging against the Red Bull F1 team, accusing them of being overly defensive and prone to complaining when circumstances don’t pan out in their favor. This critique is despite the team’s effort to project an image of being tough competitors, or as Hill puts it, “hard kids.”
The Red Bull team, based in Milton Keynes, UK, has been at the center of multiple controversies and accusations in recent years, especially regarding their perception and treatment within the British racing community. These issues came to a boiling point a fortnight ago during the F1 75 launch event in London. The crowd’s negative reception towards Max Verstappen, the team’s star driver, and team boss Christian Horner, added fuel to the fire.
Sky Sports, the UK’s premier F1 television broadcaster, and Hill’s employer from 2012 until recently, has borne the brunt of these accusations. Hill, in an interview with The Telegraph, brushed off such criticism, arguing that rigorous analysis of Red Bull and Verstappen’s performance is part of his job responsibility.
Hill was quick to dispel any notion of personal bias, expressing his admiration for Verstappen’s talent. However, he did not hesitate to voice his concerns whenever he believed Verstappen crossed the line. Hill emphasized the responsibility of Red Bull’s team management to the sport, and their obligation to curb their driver’s excesses. Hill criticizes the team for their perceived lack of enforcement of racing code, and their apparent carte blanche towards Verstappen’s aggressive driving style.
Hill referenced instances from the 2024 season when Verstappen’s on-track confrontations with McLaren’s Lando Norris during the Austrian and US Grands Prix, raised eyebrows. Hill criticized Red Bull’s inability to accept that Verstappen’s aggressive overtaking tactics, though thrilling, are not universally adopted and could lead to backlash if used against him.
Hill’s candid interview took a sharp turn, accusing Red Bull of harboring a somewhat sectarian mindset towards those critical of their methods. This accusation extended to Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, who defended his son’s outspokenness, claiming Max was the only one who could stir up the British.
Hill, however, did not stand for such viewpoints, dismissing claims of bias against the Dutch driver and his team. He voiced his discontent with the jingoistic attitude, and the narrative that the team was being marginalized for not being British. Hill defended his position as a commentator and the right to express his opinion, while also acknowledging Red Bull’s tenacious defense of their corner, particularly against criticism of Max Verstappen.
The broadcaster, Sky Sports, has been caught in the crossfire, accused by Red Bull of being British-centric and biased. Hill refuted these allegations, arguing that Sky Sports strives for fair broadcasting and due recognition. He acknowledged the pressure Red Bull leverages, given the significance of their team and Verstappen in the sport.
Among others in the spotlight, Sky’s pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz was briefly ostracized by Red Bull and Verstappen in 2022 following his post-race comments. Johnny Herbert also found himself at the receiving end of similar allegations, culminating in his removal as an FIA race steward amid claims of anti-Verstappen bias in his media commentary.
Red Bull, a prominent player in the F1 arena, is yet to meet their own expectations with their 2025 F1 car, adding another layer to their ongoing saga.
