"On the radio it sounds like I'm arrogant and not listening to the team," says Dutchman. "But as a driver I want to win."
Thursday 3 November 2016 08:39, UK
Max Verstappen says he will limit radio communications with his Red Bull team after admitting his race outbursts sometimes sound "arrogant".
The teenager's passionate messages have quickly become the norm in Formula 1 and he was in the spotlight once again at last weekend's US Grand Prix. When instructed to ease off attacking Nico Rosberg to ensure he could complete his stint, he replied "I'm not here to finish fourth".
But ahead of the Mexican GP, Verstappen insisted he was listening to his team and was simply trying to push further up the field.
"All the time when I press my radio button it's broadcast, and sometimes it sounds a bit arrogant," he said. "Especially me saying I'm not here to finish fourth. That's just what comes up in my mind, I'm there to win as a racer.
"On the radio it sounds like I'm arrogant and not listening to the team. But as a driver I want to win, that's always the aim. I was just trying to get past and it didn't really work out."
Verstappen claimed he would consider turning his radio button off before adding that his responses may be short and sweet in the future to avoid any criticism.
"I think I'm going to turn my radio button off, no radio for me any more!" the Dutchman joked. "Some fans love it, some don't, so therefore I think it's better to not say anything.
"I will say 'ok, yes' - no long sentences from me anywhere. I think it's better like that for now. It seems like whenever I press the button it just comes up on the TV."
Verstappen, whose US GP was ended following a pit-stop error and subsequent gearbox failure, also responded to remarks made by Helmut Marko, where the Red Bull advisor claimed he needed to be more patient when attacking to win titles.
"Things have been going pretty well," he added. "You always learn, but as a driver this season I think I have been pretty consistent."
