Damon Hill issues ‘joke’ response to Max Verstappen after ‘wrong passport’ claim at Sao Paulo Grand Prix

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Damon Hill has been one of the leading critics of Max Verstappen ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend. Verstappen has come under heavy fire following his double penalty in Mexico last time out.

The stewards docked Verstappen a total of 20 seconds for two incidents with title rival Lando Norris in the space of four corners. First, he forced him off the track at turn four, and then he passed him in the run-off area after a wild lunge at turn seven.

Hill wrote on social media that Verstappen is ‘losing respect’ because of his overly aggressive driving style. He thinks ‘hell will freeze over’ before he changes his approach.

Then, speaking on the Sky Sports F1 podcast later in the week, Hill said Verstappen ‘let himself down’ at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. He loves his ‘massive competitive spirit’ but fears it will be shadowed by his controversial tactics.

Finally, Hill urged Christian Horner to publicly criticise Verstappen. Horner brought Norris’ telemetry to his media briefing after the race to argue that the first penalty was unjustified.

Compatriot Johnny Herbert also slammed Verstappen, which is especially significant because he was a steward in Mexico (and will also officiate the race in Brazil). Herbert feels Verstappen is ‘much better’ than some of the moves he’s resorted to.

Damon Hill hopes Max Verstappen’s ‘wrong passport’ remark at Brazilian Grand Prix was said in jest

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Verstappen claimed he has the ‘wrong passport’ for the F1 paddock. He seemed to be suggesting he was treated more harshly because he wasn’t British.

Verstappen battled one of the United Kingdom’s most successful athletes in Lewis Hamilton back in 2021. And now Norris is emerging as his newest rival.

Motorsport.com shared these comments on Instagram, where Hill offered his reaction. He’s hoping that the 27-year-old wasn’t serious.

“Maybe it was meant as a joke?” Hill wrote on his story. “Let’s just say it was.”

Ted Kravitz ‘amazed’ that one driver was Max Verstappen’s ‘biggest supporter’

Also on Thursday, Verstappen called Herbert’s remarks ‘abnormal’. He says that ‘everything’ he does is ‘highlighted’ but accepts that this is the scrutiny that comes with success.

F1 drivers will meet in Qatar next month to discuss potential changes to the racing rules. It’s possible that there could be a lasting clampdown on some of the manoeuvres Verstappen has repeatedly used in wheel-to-wheel combat.

Esteban Ocon was the ‘biggest supporter’ of Verstappen ahead of the race in Sao Paulo. This stunned Ted Kravitz given the ‘history’ between the two.

At the 2018 Brazilian GP, Verstappen pushed Ocon in parc ferme after a collision that cost him a potential victory. But the Frenchman believes that a driver is justified in doing ‘anything’ when fighting for the title.