Max Verstappen claims he won’t change to satisfy everyone and is unconcerned by the criticism he occasionally hears from rival fan groups.
Max Verstappen says he won’t alter who he is in response to criticism from opposing fan groups.
The behaviour of fans has come under scrutiny in 2022, with prominent F1 figures criticising booing and sarcastic cheering from fans.
Verstappen has received some fan attention after a competitive title match with Lewis Hamilton in 2021.
When questioned about the behaviour of the fans, Verstappen said he recognised the causes behind their intensity but said he saw no reason to change who he is.
“When you are the one fighting their favourite driver, it becomes a bit more intense, because it’s personal,” Verstappen told Channel 4.
“A Lewis fan doesn’t really care about someone who’s finishing P18, but it becomes a little bit more heated when you are the direct rival.
“That’s fine, but I shouldn’t adapt myself to what a fan likes, because I am me and I’m not going to change because then you’re fake, and if somebody doesn’t like me, that’s fine.”
Verstappen determine to prevent “wasted energy”
It is generally acknowledged that the fan behaviour this season is an overspill from the 2021 championship, despite the fact that the 2022 championship battle seems to be less heated than previous season.
Verstappen went on to claim that he was unconcerned by people’s dislike of him and that it wouldn’t stop him from carrying out his responsibilities.
“Everyone has different personalities, and I’m the same of course. I like people, I dislike people, but that’s life, and you don’t need to live with everyone around you,” added Verstappen.
“Everyone has their own life and deals with their own stuff, and that’s how I go about it as well, and I just focus on my job.
“I love racing and I love winning and of course you need luck with that as well, with having the right car and the right people around you.
“I also don’t really think about it too much, I don’t picture myself as a fan of someone else, or another driver and what he thinks about me, because it’s just a bit of wasted energy as well.”
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