Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard believes that world champion Max Verstappen's rivals should think carefully before deciding to attack him, reports sportal.bg. Max has long been criticized for his aggressive defense, but it was only in the second half of 2024 that the stewards began to punish him for breaking the rules and pushing other drivers off the track.
Last year, Verstappen pushed his title rival Lando Norris off the track twice – in the States and Mexico, earlier in the year the two collided in Austria, where Max was again punished, but the Briton was eliminated.
„Max has already proven himself strong everywhere – Coulthard explained on the RacingNews365 podcast. – Everyone in Formula 1 is compared to him, and that in no way takes away from the performance of 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. But in recent seasons Max has earned that right. He will be the one who will make drivers think twice before attacking him.“
Verstappen was criticized by both the media and the drivers for his aggressive defense last year, but he has already hinted that he has no intention of changing his driving style. Coulthard went even further by comparing Max Verstappen to Michael Schumacher and explained that he used to race differently against the German compared to the battles against Mika Hakkinen or Jean Alesi. And the Scot found an excellent euphemism to explain how Michael was also willing to break the rules to maintain his position on the track.
“The battles against Michael were more complicated because he was much more uncompromising – explained Coulthard. – But you have to be aware of that when you are fighting with someone for the same place on the track.“