Verstappen: People who criticise me crossing the line don't have a champion mentality

Max Verstappen reflects on the criticism he received for the way he raced Lando Norris in the 2024 F1 season

Max Verstappen has insisted he will keep crossing the line racing in Formula 1 if he has to and suggested those who do not understand do not have the "world champion mentality".

After a dominant start, Verstappen and Red Bull came under pressure from McLaren and Ferrari in 2024 and the Dutchman was challenged for the drivers' title by Lando Norris throughout the second part of the season.

That translated into on-track skirmishes in Austria and then in Austin and Mexico, with Verstappen handed two 10-second penalties in Mexico City for shoving Norris off the track.

While fuelling further discussions over F1's racing rules, Verstappen received a barrage of criticism from McLaren, fans and media.

But reflecting on his 2024 campaign, Verstappen says he has no regrets because he feels it's necessary in F1 to cross the line at times. In an end-of-season interview with Dutch F1 broadcaster Viaplay, Verstappen was reminded of McLaren CEO Zak Brown's comments in Mexico that "Max is such an awesome racing driver, I just don't think you need to drive like that".

Responding to Brown's comments and the general backlash he faced on his driving behaviour, the reigning, four-time world champion said: "Yes, but they don’t have the world champion mentality. I will always go to the limit to get the most out of every race and if I have to force it, then that’s just how it goes. Sometimes you have to cross a line. Well, I do.”

Asked whether he has any regrets over how he edged Norris towards the wall in Mexico, he said: "No, not at all in that race. I think I won points there.

"So like I said, I will always do everything to get the maximum result for a championship. And of course, sometimes you have to go to the limit or over the limit and not everyone understands that. Not everyone has that mentality.”

Verstappen added the Mexico fallout, as well as McLaren's half-hearted use of team orders, were some examples of McLaren's relative lack of experience in fighting for championships, stating Norris could have beaten him to the drivers' title as the team "absolutely" missed opportunities.

"They've had a very good car this year," he said. "But I think it's also clear that they still had a lot to learn, so to speak, to really constantly compete.

"Of course, they did well for the constructors' championship, but they could have prepared much better for the drivers' championship."

Additional reporting by Laurens Stade

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Filip Cleeren
Formula 1
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