Breaking News: Hill critiques on Max Verstappen and Red Bull in ‘cry like a baby’ re…read more

Hill critiques on Max Verstappen and Red Bull in ‘cry like a baby’ re…read more 

Damon Hill, the 1996 Formula 1 World Champion, has robustly defended himself and Sky Sports F1 against accusations from Red Bull Racing, suggesting that the team struggles to accept criticism of their star driver, Max Verstappen. Hill contends that Red Bull strategically employs claims of British media bias to deflect unfavorable commentary.

Throughout the 2024 season, Hill, a long-standing pundit for Sky Sports F1 since 2012, frequently critiqued Verstappen’s on-track conduct. Following the Mexican Grand Prix, where Verstappen incurred two 10-second penalties for incidents involving title contender Lando Norris, Hill questioned Verstappen’s ability to race fairly. He remarked on the Sky F1 podcast, “The problem that Max has is he simply refuses to concede any turf at all, to anyone, in an overtake. So that’s the situation. It is possible to race fairly and that is something I’m not sure that Max is capable of – it’s not in his repertoire. It’s not in his philosophy. His philosophy is that ‘You’re not coming past.'”

Hill’s critiques extended beyond the Mexican Grand Prix. He drew parallels between Verstappen and the cartoon villain Dick Dastardly from “Wacky Races,” emphasizing his view of Verstappen’s aggressive tactics. These comments did not sit well with Verstappen and his supporters. Both Max and his father, Jos Verstappen, suggested that the British media harbored a bias against them. After a decisive wet-weather victory that secured his fourth consecutive World Championship and dashed Norris’s title aspirations, Verstappen quipped in a press conference that British journalists had “run to the airport,” implying their reluctance to acknowledge his success.

In a candid interview with The Telegraph, Hill addressed these tensions, expressing concern over what he perceives as Red Bull’s inability to accept any criticism directed at Verstappen. He stated, “I take issue with the way they seem to think Max can do no wrong.” Hill further suggested that if the roles were reversed, Verstappen would “cry like a baby,” indicating that the driver might not handle criticism as constructively as expected.

This isn’t the first time Verstappen’s driving style has come under scrutiny. Throughout his career, his aggressive approach has been both lauded for its competitiveness and criticized for its perceived recklessness. Notably, after the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, former F1 driver Martin Brundle commented on Verstappen’s tactics, suggesting that while his car control and cunning are commendable, they sometimes blur the line between hard racing and professional fouls. Brundle wrote, “Such is [his] car control and cunning, he’s sometimes able to pull off the audacious moves and leave a margin of doubt as to whether it’s hard racing or simply a professional foul outside of the regulations.”

Verstappen’s response to media criticism has occasionally highlighted a perceived bias. Before the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix, he remarked, “I have the wrong passport,” suggesting that his nationality might influence the media’s portrayal of his actions. After a remarkable drive from 17th on the grid to victory in Brazil, he pointed out the absence of British media in the post-race press conference, stating, “I appreciate all of you being here, but I don’t see any British press. Do they have to run to the airport, or [do they not] know where the press conference is?”

The dynamic between Verstappen and the British media is complex. While his talent and achievements are undeniable, his confrontational interactions with certain media outlets suggest a strained relationship. Hill’s recent comments underscore this tension, as he defends his and Sky Sports F1’s impartiality against accusations of bias.

As the 2025 season approaches, the discourse surrounding media bias and driver conduct remains pertinent. Verstappen’s dominance in the sport continues to be a focal point, and how he and his team navigate media relations will be closely watched. Hill’s departure from Sky Sports F1 at the end of 2024 marks the end of an era, but his outspoken views ensure that discussions about fairness, bias, and sportsmanship in Formula 1 persist.

In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, where national pride, media representation, and individual legacies intertwine, the interactions between drivers, teams, and the press are as dynamic as the races themselves. The ongoing dialogue between figures like Hill and Verstappen highlights the sport’s multifaceted nature, where on-track performance and off-track narratives are inextricably linked.

As fans and stakeholders reflect on these developments, the broader conversation about media influence, driver behavior, and the responsibilities of public figures in sports continues to evolve, shaping the future of Formula 1 and its global perception.