Max Verstappen: Criticisms and Praises to the Formula 1 World Champion
Max Verstappen, the 26-year-old Dutch driver, has been the target of criticism by the majority of the Formula 1 community. However, Verstappen, along with Liam Lawson, has stood out as one of the most exceptional drivers competing in Formula 1. Since his debut at the age of 17, the Dutch driver has quickly achieved success. Controversially, Verstappen won the 2021 world title and has continued to excel ever since. However, with such dominance, some criticisms also arise.
During the 2023 title conquest, Verstappen broke numerous world records. Despite the criticism he received for his performance, the Red Bull reserve driver stated that the three-time world champion was not shaken. Furthermore, the 22-year-old mentioned that Verstappen considers his current position quite impressive.
Lawson emphasized that Verstappen simply did not care about the opinions of his detractors. The New Zealand driver added that, despite facing a significant amount of hatred, the 26-year-old Dutchman has a huge fan base. Therefore, the 22-year-old reiterated that Max Verstappen had no reason to worry about the unjustified criticisms he faced.
Max Verstappen’s exceptional performance has been the main reason for the praises he has received. However, the behavior of the Dutchman also deserves attention. Liam Lawson recalled his debut at Zandvoort, where Verstappen visited the rookie driver and encouraged him to enjoy the race, congratulating him on his great achievement.
Furthermore, Lawson appreciated Verstappen’s calm and warm demeanor. The New Zealand driver also described the three-time world champion as mentally resilient, if not the most resilient on the grid. Additionally, the 26-year-old Dutchman is approachable and pleasant to talk to, as noted by the 22-year-old.
Max Verstappen’s extraordinary performance and attitude will certainly be remembered for generations. After retiring from the sport, the 26-year-old driver may even achieve legendary status. Currently, his main focus is on further improving his performance during the 2024 season, considering the struggling pace of Red Bull.