Verstappens racing style isn’t new - so why is it so heavily criticised?
Max Verstappen’s fearless, aggressive approach to racing has dominated recent Formula 1 discourse in recent weeks. His no-holds-barred tactics, particularly during high-stakes wheel-to-wheel battles, are reminiscent of legends like Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Lewis Hamilton. Each of these champions bent the rules, pushing the boundaries of acceptable risk, yet Verstappen’s style seems to attract a level of criticism far beyond that faced by his predecessors.
As we prepare for the Brazilian Grand Prix—an event rooted in the legacy of Senna—it’s worth asking: if Verstappen’s racing approach reflects those of F1’s most iconic drivers, why is he facing such intense scrutiny? The answer lies in F1’s evolving regulatory landscape and the social media era, both of which amplify every move Verstappen makes, especially in recent battles with Lando Norris.
Senna: The pioneer of unyielding aggression
Ayrton Senna is celebrated for his artistry behind the wheel and his willingness to push beyond the limits. For Senna, racing wasn’t just about competition—it was a spiritual quest for perfection. Senna’s precision was legendary, and his skills in the rain were unmatched; his performance at the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix is often cited as one of the most skillful displays of wet-weather driving. But Senna was more than technically gifted; his driving style embodied an all-or-nothing mentality that at times bordered on dangerous.
Senna was unapologetically aggressive, particularly against rivals like Alain Prost. The clash between Senna and Alain Prost at the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix is perhaps one of F1’s most defining—and divisive—moments. By colliding with Prost and effectively ending the championship on the spot, Senna cemented his legacy as a driver willing to risk everything for victory. For many, this move was a mark of greatness; for others, it was dangerously close to recklessness. Yet in Brazil, Senna’s hometown, his blend of passion and precision created a national hero, one who used aggression as a tool to achieve the impossible. His aggressive moves on the track were a signature, drawing admiration from fans and competitors alike, including a young Schumacher who would later bring his own spin to Senna’s brand of relentless dominance.
Schumacher: Strategic dominance and controlled aggression
Years later it appeared Michael Schumacher had somewhat inherited Senna’s fierce determination and refined it into something even more calculated. His famous 1994 Australian Grand Prix collision with Damon Hill, a controversial move that secured him the championship, revealed a clinical willingness to cross the line between legal and questionable.
Schumacher’s actions were harshly criticised, but they also redefined racing as a combination of physical skill and mental fortitude. He embraced the “chess game” approach to racing, where every move was planned, every risk calculated. The regulatory framework was relatively lenient at the time, allowing Schumacher to craft a style that pushed F1 into an era of hyper-focused dominance, a strategy that influenced Hamilton and, later, Verstappen.
Hamilton’s adaptable aggression and modern precision
In many ways, it could be argued that Lewis Hamilton has balanced the spirit of Senna with Schumacher’s precision. While Hamilton was no stranger to intense battles in his early years, especially against former teammate Nico Rosberg, he adapted his style as the sport’s regulatory environment evolved. Today, Hamilton’s approach to aggression is often strategic and measured, avoiding unnecessary penalties that could disrupt a title bid. Hamilton’s late-career battles with Verstappen in 2021 highlighted this shift in perception. Where Hamilton often picks his moments carefully, Verstappen dives in without hesitation. Hamilton’s controlled aggression has, by comparison, been rewarded, while Verstappen’s unfiltered style often attracts criticism and, in many cases, penalties.
This adaptability has allowed Hamilton to thrive in an era where drivers’ actions are scrutinised more closely than ever before.
Verstappen’s unfiltered style in a restrictive era
Verstappen’s approach has always felt raw and unapologetic, an echo of Senna’s and Schumacher’s era. But the regulatory landscape he operates in is far more restrictive, making his style—and his penalties—a focal point of modern F1.
Recent races have intensified this scrutiny. Verstappen’s aggressive wheel-to-wheel battles with Lando Norris have attracted fresh criticism, revealing the thin line Verstappen walks between hero and rule-breaker. In races like the Austrian and Mexican grand prix Verstappen’s daring moves against Norris have resulted in penalties or near penalties, underscoring how modern F1’s regulatory climate constraints even the most experienced drivers.
Verstappen’s style clashes with the heightened modern standards, and his moves are analysed in real time by millions, creating a “trial by social media” that intensifies even minor incidents. For Verstappen, this scrutiny has led to penalties that some feel would have been overlooked in previous eras, like his battles with Norris, where fans divided into camps either celebrating his tenacity or condemning his recklessness.
The big question: is the criticism fair?
The question remains: should Verstappen’s style be seen as reckless, or as a continuation of the aggressive F1 tradition? If Senna and Schumacher had raced under today’s strict regulations, they, too, may have faced frequent penalties. Verstappen’s aggressive moves reflect a lineage of high-stakes racing, even if they sometimes bend the modern rules. His clashes with Norris in recent races showcase the thrill of Formula 1’s competitive spirit—an echo of its past and a reminder of the cost of being an aggressive driver in today’s regulatory climate.
As F1 returns to Brazil, the scrutiny around Verstappen’s style feels especially relevant. Interlagos, Senna’s home track, is a reminder that the sport was built on fierce, unfiltered racing. Perhaps Verstappen’s style—and the criticism it invites—is simply part of a tradition that drivers like Senna and Schumacher helped create, one that, even in a regulated era, continues to inspire debate and keep F1 as thrilling as ever.
