Dutch driver slams ‘shameful’ Max Verstappen over media responses

Dutch racing driver Renger van der Zande was critical of Max Verstappen's negative approach to the media in F1.

Dutch driver slams ‘shameful’ Max Verstappen over media responses

Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase (via Red Bull Content Pool)

Max Verstappen is one of the most blunt drivers in Formula 1. The reigning world champion speaks his mind and does not sugarcoat anything when it comes to press conferences. This has got the 27-year-old in trouble with the FIA in the past. After the incident, Verstappen barely gives any responses to the media, even over some controversial incidents. Now, Dutch racer Renger van der Zande has hit out at the reigning world champion’s approach.

At the 2024 Singapore GP, Verstappen was penalized by the FIA for swearing during a press conference. This infuriated the Red Bull star who started giving brief one-word responses following the incident. In 2025, this trend has continued. Max Verstappen remained tight lipped over a penalty during the Saudi Arabian GP, claiming that anything he says might get him into trouble.

Van der Zande asserted that the reigning world champion had become completely negative in his approach to the media. So much so, that the 39-year-old found it shameful to see someone like Max Verstappen behave in such a manner when the whole world is watching.

It’s all pretty negative around Max I think that’s a shame in a way.

Renger van der Zande told Ziggo Sport

Renger van der Zande was doubtful whether such an approach would be beneficial for Max Verstappen. He highlighted that it was not a secret that the Red Bull star performed at his best when he was angry. Perhaps, hinting that Verstappen’s current mindset might allow him to push himself further in a bid to get the best results possible during a difficult campaign for Milton Keynes.

Is this an investment in the future? Or does he need this to get the most out of himself? We know that when Max is angry, he goes the extra mile, and he can go even faster, and fight.

Renger van der Zande added

F1 insider refutes Max Verstappen’s Red Bull exit rumors

Max Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull Racing till the end of the 2028 season. However, rumors persist that the reigning world champion could leave Milton Keynes as early as next year. With Mercedes and Aston Martin reportedly being the frontrunners. However, F1 Pundit Peter Windsor has dismissed such a possibility.

Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Red Bull)

Windsor declared that there was no reason for Verstappen to leave the Austrian team, pointing out that only McLaren were at a superior level than Red Bull at the moment. Additionally, the 73-year-old highlighted that the 27-year-old has already won a race this year, and could’ve emerged victorious in Saudi Arabia as well. Peter Windsor reckoned that Milton Keynes was still the best team on the grid in terms of operations, be it within the garage or fixing issues when things went wrong.

Why would he leave Red Bull? There is nowhere to go anywhere else, except for McLaren… I think Red Bull. He has already won a race with it, and he almost won in Saudi Arabia. Red Bull is still the best team in Formula 1 in terms of how they operate in the pitlane, in the garage, overnight, getting things right when things go wrong.

Peter Windsor said on a YouTube livestream

Certainly, Max Verstappen’s F1 future remains in the dark for now. The four-time world champion has publicly not shown interest in a rival team yet. However, it is believed that the 27-year-old will wait till the summer break before making a decision. As an exit clause in his contract could allow him to leave Red Bull if it is activated. Nevertheless, Verstappen fans will need to wait for some more time to see where the F1 star races next year.

Related: Christian Horner hits back at ‘noise’ over Max Verstappen’s Red Bull future