Max Verstappen has never seemed to care about being popular. Perhaps it was that attitude that led to him being voted the most popular driver in the sport in October 2021. But that was when he was the challenger. And even then, his driving style was raising eyebrows. The incumbent champion Lewis Hamilton had described him as a ‘crazy guy’.

Early in his career, Verstappen was already on the radar of fellow drivers and officials alike. In 2016, former World Champion Kimi Räikkönen said that Verstappen was “going to cause a huge accident sooner or later”. It was also largely the actions of Verstappen that led to the prohibition of moving under braking later that year.

Eight years later, it doesn’t look as if any lessons have been learned. Verstappen’s tenacious defence against Lando Norris in Mexico earned him a twenty second penalty. It had been coming. A week earlier, in Austin, Verstappen had got away with a similar manoeuvre. With Norris overtaking on the outside, Verstappen was deliberately late under braking leaving him ahead at the apex of the corner. Under the racing regulations, Norris was penalised, despite Verstappen having no intention of making the corner. This week, a similar incident saw him penalised for forcing another driver off the track. Some might say that justice was finally served.

The rules themselves are a problem and the drivers are aware that clarity is required. Further clarifications are due to be issued before the Qatar Grand Prix. Verstappen has been rewarded on numerous occasions for going straight on when under pressure, but it was within the rules, so he got away with it.

Ironically, since Räikkönen’s comments the chances of Verstappen causing a serious crash have probably decreased. Drivers are evidently careful around him, only passing when they are able to breeze past down the straight. Norris had previously been one of Verstappen’s last remaining allies on the grid, but the events of the last two weekends have clearly changed that. Norris, who was content to sit behind Verstappen before the first round of pit stops, was unequivocal in his assessment of Verstappen’s driving. “Dangerous”. 

The pendulum of public perception is now firmly swinging against Verstappen. He is no longer the underdog that people are routing for, he’s the champion ready to be shot at. That alone could be enough to sway the fans, but the reckless driving we’ve seen recently has seen even the neutrals and the apathetic turn against him. In a British dominated sport, with a British driver leading the challenge, he will invariably face some direct questions from the media over the next few weeks.

The gap between the championship rivals has now reduced to 47 points. With four races left of the season, who would bet against Norris and Verstappen clashing again on track? There will come a point when Norris won’t be able to back down. And will Verstappen change his style? Of course not.

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By Leon Parrott