But Raikkonen unhappy with Red Bull driver's 'payback' comment
Monday 5 September 2016 09:09, UK
A defiant Max Verstappen says he will not change his driving style due to criticism from his fellow drivers.
Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen, forced to lift off along the Kemmel Straight at Spa when Verstappen blocked off his approach, has reiterated his condemnation of the youngster's style and it's understood both Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel will meet with FIA race director Charlie Whiting after the Spa stewards declined to investigate Verstappen's block.
But an unrepentant Verstappen said: "It's not because other drivers tell me to change my driving style that l will change my driving style.
"There have been no penalties given, so there is no reason to change something."
After Sunday's race, Verstappen implied that he blocked off Raikkonen as revenge for their crash on the opening lap, telling reporters: "If Turn One hadn't happened, I wouldn't have been so aggressive and pushed Raikkonen out like that."
It's a remark which has angered the normally-taciturn Raikkonen.
"If somebody says during the race he did something because of what happened in the first corner and it is payback, then I don't think this is the correct sport to purposefully start doing payback," complained the Finn.
Verstappen is also likely to face sustained criticism from his peers in Friday night's drivers' meeting.
"Max is on the limit," said Mercedes' Nico Rosberg. "That need to be discussed and I'm sure our friends in red will have something to say."
World champion Lewis Hamilton added: "He's a quick, fast driver, he's young and he's learning. He's 18 years of age and most of us were doing some silly ***t when we were 18 years old. He has a grand prix under his belt and he's an exceptional driver - that's all l see."
But with the youngster continuing to divide opinion in the paddock, Vettel remains adamant that Verstappen's driving style needs to mellow.
"I think the thing we've spoken about before, and has come up again in Spa, is the moving under braking which, obviously, as the lead car is the wrong thing to do. I'm not a big fan of running to the stewards and complaining there. I think it's much better if we do it face to face. Unfortunately we haven't done that yet but I'm sure we will."
Verstappen has already received heavy criticism from his peers in the past with his driving strongly condemned during the drivers' briefing at Germany. Asked how he would deal with another repeat dose, the Red Bull driver brushed off the expected aggravation. "I listened but it is up to the stewards," he said.
