Johnny Herbert agrees Max Verstappen should ‘just shut up and drive’ over concerns with F1 rules

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Max Verstappen shows no signs of backing down from his furore with F1’s new regulations, leading Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert to voice their thoughts on the four-time world champion’s frustrations.

The new era of F1’s technical regulations has divided the current F1 grid, as well as the personnel who work for them and the fans who tune in every weekend to watch the pinnacle of single-seater motorsport.

The leading figure in the resistance is Max Verstappen, who first picked apart the new regulations when they were announced back in 2023. He had seen some data from simulations at Monza, and his initial impressions were not good at all.

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Fast forward to the present, and the Dutchman’s predictions have materialised into genuine concerns, with Verstappen’s most damning critique of the new ruleset landing him in hot water with the FIA and FOM.

• READ MORE: Max Verstappen told to ‘get used to it’ as the F1 regulations can’t be changed ‘by tomorrow’

Johnny Herbert agrees with the sentiment that Max Verstappen should ‘just shut up and drive’

During a recent episode of the Stay On Track podcast, Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert touched upon Verstappen’s recent frustrations with the sport’s new ruleset.

The 1996 F1 world champion asked his co-host, “Max Verstappen, does he need to just shut up and drive for the rest of his life?”

Without any hesitation, Herbert answered, “In many respects, yes. Because it’s always very nice when you’re in the best car. It’s always a bit of a struggle when you’re not in the best car.

“He hasn’t had a bad career thus far. There are still many more things that he’s going to be able to achieve in Formula 1, as in another world championship or three. But diplomacy is not his thing.”

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Hill then added his thoughts on the question, saying, “You’ll always get a direct, honest opinion from him. He will say what he really thinks. Only the trouble he’s got now is that it does sound like, because he hasn’t got the car that can win, if he moans, then it’s about that.

“It’s not about the formula necessarily. As an advocate for what Formula 1 is, for what the drivers want from Formula 1, that will be taken on board because what Formula 1 doesn’t want is for Max to decide I’m going somewhere else to get my thrills.

“That would be a vote of no confidence in Formula 1 and where it’s going.”

• READ MORE: Max Verstappen faces ‘even more painful’ Japanese Grand Prix with Red Bull after China retirement

Max Verstappen took to the Nurburgring to get his thrills this weekend

As alluded to by Hill, Verstappen has continued to ramp up his efforts in endurance racing amid his ongoing concerns with the direction that F1 is heading.

The Red Bull star competed in another NLS event this weekend, and shone as he continues his bid to compete in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in May.

Alongside Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon, Verstappen brought the Verstappen.com Racing entry home with the final stint, taking the chequered flag nearly a minute ahead of second place after taking pole position by nearly 2 seconds.

Unfortunately, the stewards would later disqualify Verstappen and co due to an infringement that occurred with the team’s tyre allocation.

Despite being stripped of the win, his dominance in the GT3 category is clear to see, and he could very well find himself in the midst of a highly successful career in the category if his qualms with F1 prove to be too much.