Hill stands by Verstappen criticism, says he uses “fears and intimidation”

Damon Hillstands by his criticisms of Max Verstappen’s driving, saying the Dutchman uses “fear and intimidation” against his Formula 1 rivals.

The 1996 world champion has come under attack from Verstappen in the wake of remarks he made this week accusing the Red Bull ace of acting like Wacky Races villain Dick Dastardly.

Speaking on a Sky podcast, Hill said that the second clash between Verstappen and Lando Norris in Mexico last week was something he was not very happy with.

“The second move was just daft and Dick Dastardly stuff,” said Hill. “He accelerated to the apex and drove Lando off the track and Lando didn’t have much option. That was silly driving.”

Verstappen said in Brazil that he felt some remarks made this week against him were simply about causing mischief.

“[I listen to] people that are objective and close to me and not just there to stir [things up],” said Verstappen when asked about Hill’s comments. “Some people are just being very annoying.

“I know who these people are, although I don’t really pay a lot of attention to them anyway.”

While Hill was obviously in Verstappen’s sights when he made those remarks, the Briton said on Friday that his opinion was unchanged.

Asked on Sky if he stood by his comments, he said: “Yes, I do. I think that he [Verstappen] is using fear and intimidation.

“I think he also has explained a little bit more about his tactics, which has been that he regards it as a gamble. Sometimes it may pay off and sometimes he may get the better of the stewards, they might not apply a penalty. But he’s also using it as a way of compromising the title contender in Lando Norris.

“So, there’s some logic, there’s some method, to his angriness, if you want to call it that, on the track.

“He, as he says, he knows what he’s doing, but is it right and is it fair? And I think there’s also rules….to ensure fairness, and we shouldn’t be condoning driving cars off the track.”

Hill reckoned that Verstappen’s aggressive approach to racing was something that he had carried with him since he first entered F1.

“I’m clear about what I understand Max to be,” added Hill. “He’s been like that, and he’s been consistent from the moment he arrived in F1 in using what was regarded as dangerous tactics.

“The regulations have been brought in to clear up some of the things that he himself has brought upon himself, because of the way he drives.

“The FIA bring in regulations, obviously, to try and contain it, because they don’t race to be like that. They don’t want dangerous situations as well, such as changing lines in the braking area and stuff like that, which is what he used to get up to as well.”

Hill also said it was wrong of Verstappen to suggest that it was only a couple of people who were criticising him.

“When he makes the point about individuals, it’s not individuals, it’s almost universal disapproval,” added Hill. “That’s the point. It’s not a vendetta against Max. It’s simply the people who watch the racing want it to be conducted in a reasonable and fair way.

“If everybody was doing this, it would be daft, it would be silly, and it wouldn’t be worth watching. We like close racing.

“Where we are, in Sao Paulo, this is where it all started, a little bit in ’21, with him running deep into Turn Four [against Lewis Hamilton].

“Everyone went, ‘hang on a minute, you can’t just run the guy off, clean off the road to defend.’ And he’s still doing it.”