Formula 1 in Belgium - Verstappen to his critics: 'Turn down the volume'
For the debate about his excursions into the world of Sim-Racing, Max Verstappen does not understand. Decisively, Red Bull's racing advisor Helmut Marko had previously expressed his opinion on Verstappen's participation in online races in his column for the specialist portal "Speedweek". Most recently in Hungary, the Dutchman finished fifth in the Grand Prix after a night session in the simulator. "Max Verstappen was rather thin this weekend, and it didn't take long before criticism arose – no wonder, where he spent half the night sim-racing", Marko wrote.
Staying up until three in the morning? No problem for Verstappen
But he must hold on to this: "In Imola, he went to bed only at three in the morning after a Sim-Racing session – and won the Grand Prix. Max has a different sleep rhythm, and he had his seven hours of sleep", Marko explained. They had agreed that he would no longer drive simulations that late.
Verstappen referred again to the fact that "racing until three in the morning" was nothing new for him, "I've been doing that since 2015. It's something very important in my life". "People who don't like my language should not listen, but turn down the volume. I am very results-oriented, I always want to optimize everything", said Verstappen, who has not won a race in this season for the last three races in a row but has won the last three races in Belgium.
At Red Bull, they are always "very open, very critical with each other, which has worked well for us", explained Verstappen further. "That's our approach. It's important to be critical, because in this world where we live today, many people can't handle criticism as well as they used to."
Verstappen's recommendation to critics: "Don't listen"
Verstappen, who in Belgium is facing a grid penalty due to the use of a new engine outside the regulations, also addressed the critics who had criticized his prolonged engine running over the team radio during the Hungarian Grand Prix. "People who don't like my language should not listen, but turn down the volume. I am very results-oriented, I always want to optimize everything", said Verstappen, who has not won a race in this season for the last three races in a row but has won the last three races in Belgium.
At Red Bull, we are always "very open, very critical with each other, which has worked well for us", explained Verstappen further. "That's our approach. It's important to be critical, because in this world where we live today, many people can't handle criticism as well as they used to."
Helmut Marko, Red Bull's racing advisor, previously voiced his opposition to Max Verstappen's participation in Sim-Racing events in his column for "Speedweek." During the Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix, Verstappen finished fifth after a late-night Sim-Racing session, which prompted Marko to criticize him in his column. Despite the criticism, Verstappen has consistently performed well in Formula 1, particularly in Belgium, where he has won the last three races. Despite facing a grid penalty for using a new engine outside the regulations in Belgium, Verstappen remains focused on his results and his desire to optimize his performance in Motorsport. Red Bull, Verstappen's team, maintains a culture of openness and constructive criticism, which has contributed to their success in Formula 1.
