1
Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda had some strong words to say about Max Verstappen following the Mexican Grand Prix.
The young Dutchman made contact with Nico Rosberg on the opening lap that luckily didn't cost the championship leader too much.
But three-time champion Lauda was all too aware of the possible implications of the incident.
"Nico was clearly in front," he said. "And Verstappen then rams him off the track. This could have cost Nico the championship. It is not acceptable.
"It's Verstappen's fault. He drives too aggressively. At some point, he has to realise it," he added.
Lauda also weighed in on the penalty applied to the Red Bull driver after the conclusion of the race.
Verstappen was hit with a five second penalty after leaving the track and maintaining position, and despite calls for Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton to receive punishment for a similar incident on the opening lap, Lauda insists the stewards made the right call.
"That was a just and right decision," he said. "A repeat offender like him has to be penalised."
"Helmut Marko (Red Bull's driver adviser) should talk to him. If he didn't drive that aggressively, he would develop much better," he added. "His talent is unbelievable, but then he smashes it all with these stupid actions."
"He doesn't realise -? he thinks he is doing everything right, but he doesn't. He has to calm down."
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
755,832 comments on Red Bull Racing
968 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Max Verstappen
612,186 comments on Mercedes 57 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (1)
Login to replyPatentprutser
Posts: 392
What did Max in the first corner what Lewis and Nico haven't done this season several times? Max has an agressieve racing style, I fully agree, it will definitly go wrong in some cases, but the fact is that it works for now. He is with Ricciardo the only one who can put pressure on the Mercedes guys and now Niki tells that he should not do that? Let them race, your guys have done exactly the same in the first half of the season.