F1 Azerbaijan GP: “That’s a poor loser,” Damon Hill slams Max Verstappen for Baku race week format criticism

Max Verstappen finished P3 in the sprint, following a collision with George Russell that hindered his race

F1 Azerbaijan GP: “That’s a poor loser,” Damon Hill slams Max Verstappen for Baku race week format criticism

Damon Hill and Max Verstappen

Race weekend in Baku has been tension-packed so far, courtesy of the sprint format. It has been a rougher weekend than championship leader Max Verstappen has been accustomed to, with the Dutchman having to settle for P3 at the end of the sprint race. He had a lot to say with respect to the format and the results of the sprint, especially following his altercation with George Russell.

Max Verstappen isn’t a fan of the new format, as when interviewed following the sprint race, he had his say on the proceedings. He said, “I got bored through today’s qualifying. I like to have one particular qualifying where you just put everything in it, & that was yesterday which I of course enjoy, & they have to do it again today I’m like “My God, another qualifying”. I just don’t really enjoy that.” He is inclined to follow the standard procedure on a typical race weekend. He was also involved in a heated on-track incident with George Russell today, with the latter making contact with Verstappen on lap 1. This hindered his race, where he could only manage P3.

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FS Video

Verstappen is no stranger to being aggressive on the track, it being his hallmark when it comes to racing. Thus, with his livid behavior with George Russell following the sprint, Damon Hill has slammed Verstappen’s attitude. He said, “We should just give Max Verstappen the championship and just not bother with anything else. Sorry, that’s just sulking. That’s a poor loser. Sorry.” He also went on to say that Verstappen should stop berating the new format and should rather forget about today’s result and focus on tomorrow’s race.

Hill slammed Verstappen’s criticism and believed that the Dutchman should be ready to compete and emerge victorious under any circumstance, not just ones he is accustomed to and suited to him. His attitude following the sprint was interpreted by Hill as hypocritical, with the Dutchman himself being no stranger to aggressive, risky overtakes.

Related: F1 Azerbaijan GP: “I am here to fight,” George Russell warns Max Verstappen following ‘di**head’ comment

Max Verstappen is no stranger to aggression and risky moves on track

Max Verstappen clashes with Lewis Hamilton at Monza 2021 via TOI
Max Verstappen clashes with Lewis Hamilton at Monza 2021 via TOI

The Dutch Lion has been known for years for his fearlessness on track. He is renowned for his aggressiveness and risky overtakes. However, these do not always end up in Verstappen’s favor, as are the pitfalls of having an aggressive racing style. He has been involved in a number of racial incidents in the past that have resulted from him miscalculating, resulting in either his or his opponent’s suffering.

The most famous instances that can be sited are those such as the Italian Grand Prix in 2021. Verstappen was exiting the pits after a slow pitstop, dropping him far down the order, behind championship rival Lewis Hamilton. Going into the chicane, the Dutchman tried to exploit the little space available. However, he went over a sausage kerb, with lifted the rear of his car. This resulted in him colliding with Hamilton, landing his rear wheel inches off the top of Hamilton’s helmet. The pair ended up retiring due to Verstappen’s haste.

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Fans witnessed an altercation arose between the two at Jeddah 2021 as well, where Verstappen had illegally overtaken Hamilton by pushing him off track and was ordered to return the position. He decided to do so strategically. However, when Hamilton gained on his rear wing, Verstappen hit the brakes shortly but sharply, causing a low-speed collision between the pair. Verstappen was penalized as a result, and Hamilton won the Grand Prix.

The race at Sao Paulo in 2022 saw yet another clash between the two giants. With the leaders flying down the pit straight towards the Senna Esses, Verstappen went for a move around the outside of Hamilton, but the Red Bull and Mercedes collided at the Turn 2 apex, sending both drivers down the order. This was reminiscent of their encounters the previous season, with once again Verstappen’s aggression attracting consequences.

Thus today was quite different, with George Russell having given Max Verstappen some of his own treatment, with an aggressive move into turn 3 causing contact. The latter was furious, confronting the Englishman after the race, giving him a piece of his mind. Thus, it seems hypocritical that Verstappen can rip into Russell for a move like today’s when he is known for risky moves such as that himself.

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