Jos Verstappen responds to media critique post-Brazil

Max Verstappen's commanding victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix has intensified an ongoing feud between the Verstappen camp and British Formula 1 media, with Jos Verstappen taking aim at what he perceives as biased criticism of his son's racing style.

Tensions rise after recent incidents

The conflict stems from scrutiny over Max Verstappen's racing tactics in recent grands prix.

The Red Bull driver faced criticism following contentious incidents with Lando Norris at both the United States and Mexican Grands Prix, where his aggressive approach drew penalties and sparked debate about his racing ethics.

British media response

Several prominent British motorsport voices expressed concerns about Verstappen's driving standards.

Martin Brundle labeled certain moves as "plain dangerous," while former F1 champion Damon Hill questioned Verstappen's ability to race fairly.

The criticism intensified after Mexico, where Verstappen received two separate penalties for incidents involving Norris.

Father's fierce defense

Jos Verstappen seized the moment after his son's remarkable victory in Brazil to counter the critics.

Speaking to Sky Deutschland, the elder Verstappen declared:

"He showed who is the best today. And I also believe he was very motivated after the negative journalists from England and the negative drivers."

He added emphatically,

"I think the whole world saw who is the very best."

Champion's response

Max Verstappen himself addressed the situation with characteristic directness, suggesting "some people are just a bit biased."

The world champion even brought humor to the tension during the post-race press conference, playfully noting the absence of British journalists:

"I have a quick question here. I mean, I appreciate all of you being here, but I don't see any British press!"

Performance speaks volumes

The timing of the response couldn't have been more emphatic, as Verstappen's drive from 17th to victory in challenging wet conditions at Interlagos extended his championship lead to 63 points.

Jos Verstappen insisted that criticism would only fuel his son's determination:

"They think they are taking him out of his good mood, but he will only get better because of it."

The controversy has added another layer to what has become an increasingly complex relationship between one of F1's most dominant champions and a section of the sport's media, with neither side showing signs of backing down.