Max Verstappen arrives at the last race of the season this weekend in Abu Dhabi on equal points with Lewis Hamilton, following last weekend’s controversial battle in Jeddah.
The Red Bull driver was given a five-second penalty for gaining an off-track advantage in the duel with Hamilton, when the two went wheel-to-wheel at Turn 1, both ending up on the breakaway.
After the race, a 10 second penalty was added to the Dutchman for causing a rear-end collision between the two in an attempt to return the position to his Mercedes rival, complete with a dangerous “brake-test”.
Measures that had not been taken well by Max, who today in Abu Dhabi said he believed it evident that the rules are not applied to everyone in the same way.
“What I did to defend myself was also done by two other riders, who weren’t even mentioned or penalized,” said Verstappen. “So I don’t understand, because I think I just raced hard. What happened for me didn’t deserve any penalties and the other two riders who did it didn’t have them. It was just me who received it.”
“Of course, since we are fighting for the title, I think people are a little more critical, but I really don’t understand.”
Verstappen also responded to criticism from Jacques Villeneuve, who spoke of “rental karts” maneuvers regarding his actions on the track in Jeddah.
But even Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc today said he thinks Verstappen had gone “over the limit”, while Lando Norris entrenched himself behind a “no comment” when asked what he thinks of a penalty of only 10 seconds for a brake-test.
“In the end, there is always criticism,” Verstappen said. “But I think on my side, what is unfair is that I am treated differently from other riders. Clearly, other riders can get away with it and I can’t. I think this is a bit of a problem.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, make contact as they battle for the lead
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
When asked if, in light of the sanctions, he will change his approach for the last race in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen replied: “To be honest, the only thing I ask is that it is the same for everyone, because clearly this is not the case at the moment. “
“But, as I said, I don’t feel I was wrong and the same things are not considered wrong for others, so why should I change when others are allowed to run like that? I think everyone should be allowed to run like that.” .
Max then underlined how the maneuver with which Lewis Hamilton overtook him at the last corner was actually no different from the one that cost him 5 “at turn 1.
“Other people do exactly the same thing and don’t do anything to him, because we were both off the track there too,” said Verstappen. “At Turn 1 we were both off the white line, but somehow they thought it was my fault, but I disagree.”
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