Damon Hill agrees with Lando Norris’ criticism of Max Verstappen’s driving at Miami Grand Prix

Follow us on Google Discover

Damon Hill has criticised Red Bull driver Max Verstappen for ‘wasting his energy’ by extending his battles on track, even when he’s at a major disadvantage.

Verstappen started the Miami Grand Prix on the front row but dropped into the midfield after spinning at the first corner. He then pitted during an early safety car, which put him out of sync.

The Dutchman briefly took the lead after rivals pitted, but his hard tyres were significantly older. Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc and George Russell all managed to overtake him.

Damon Hill and Juan Pablo Montoya criticise Max Verstappen’s ‘not smart’ racing

Verstappen fought hard despite his relative lack of grip, trading places before he was eventually defeated.

Speaking on the Chequered Flag podcast, Juan Pablo Montoya commended Verstappen’s aggression, but said he was only costing himself more time in Miami.

Have you changed your mind about what Max Verstappen can achieve this season?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Fellow pundit Hill agreed that he should have been more tactical given the slim odds of holding on to the position.

Montoya said: “He raced hard, and I appreciate the way he raced hard, but I think at the end of the race, the way he was racing people when he was trying to defend position… once the guy gets you, the best way not to get passed by more people is stop fighting and just get in line.

“He kept fighting and bringing more people over. I was like, ‘Why are you fighting yourself?’

Hill added: “He does let people know that he’s prepared to fight every inch. Sometimes, you do think, ‘You’re wasting your energy, it’s not smart.'”

Lando Norris wasn’t impressed by Max Verstappen’s racing in Miami

Watching highlights of the race in the cooldown room, Norris said Verstappen was ‘ruining his own race’ by fighting losing battles.

Does Max Verstappen need to recognise when he’s beaten?

Lando Norris questioned his racecraft in Miami

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Verstappen was also criticised by Carlos Sainz, his former teammate. Sainz felt he was trying to bully midfield drivers out of the way as he came back through the pack.

Asked about Sainz’s comments after the race, Verstappen said, via AS: “It’s a jungle in the midfield, I don’t have much more to say.”

Verstappen is trying to regain lost ground after Red Bull’s poor start to the season. He scored more points in Miami alone (14) than he had across the first three rounds (12).