Max Verstappen Doesn't Care About Critics - His Only Focus? Friend Lando Norris

Max Verstappen is taking a no-nonsense approach to the wave of criticism following his controversial clash with Lando Norris during the Austrian Grand Prix. In a incident-laden race at the Red Bull Ring, Verstappen and Norris collided at Turn 3 while fighting for the lead with just seven laps remaining. The encounter left both drivers with punctures and has since ignited a fierce debate over Verstappen's aggressive driving style.

Despite the penalty he received and the attention his wheel-to-wheel tactics have drawn, Verstappen remains unfazed. Appearing at the Silverstone circuit, he was resolute about where his true focus lies. "I don’t give a s**t about that," Verstappen bluntly stated when asked about the backlash. "I go home, I live my life. The only thing I cared about was my relationship with Lando."

Friendship Above All

The fallout from their skirmish raised questions about a potentially hostile reception for Verstappen from British fans at Silverstone. Yet, the Dutchman stressed that his friendship with Norris remains uncompromised. "Lando and I are good friends, and we spoke about it. For us, everything is cleared and that’s the most important,” Verstappen reiterated. “As long as I'm okay with Lando, that's the only thing that I'm concerned about."

When questioned about the potential of facing boos, Verstappen shrugged off the notion, referencing similar scenarios he's faced throughout his career. "I’ve had that already before, you know?" he said, alluding to the 2021 race.

The Pit Stop Blame Game

Verstappen didn't hold back in his critique of his own Red Bull team, attributing much of the late-race ordeal to a faltering pit stop. The 6.5-second halt allowed Norris to close in, setting the stage for their contentious clash. "Most of it fell out of our control with the bad pit stop," Verstappen lamented. Yet, he was quick to put things into perspective, acknowledging the team's usual efficiency. "We have had so many good pit stops, and now unfortunately, at a very important time, one was very bad. But it has also given us wins in the past. That's how it goes."

Despite the hiccup, the Dutch driver remains optimistic and determined to learn from the experience. "We analyse everything - what went wrong - and we’ll try to make sure it doesn’t happen again."

Looking Forward

As the action moves to Silverstone, Verstappen expects another fierce tussle with the McLaren team. The British circuit holds fond memories for the Woking-based outfit, having seen them return to the podium just 12 months ago. "I still expect it to be very close. We had a very good qualifying in Austria and in general a very positive weekend apart from the race result," Verstappen noted. "But I still think McLaren – last year here they were flying, so they will be quick again."

Verstappen's determined focus ahead of the weekend suggests a driver who is undeterred by public opinion, solely fixated on performance and maintaining strong relationships within the paddock. Whether or not British fans will forgive or forget the Austrian incident remains to be seen, but one thing is clear - Verstappen's resilience and steel will be on full display.