1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve says Max Verstappen is a "bad role model".
The Dutchman has lost his pole position in Mexico after openly admitting that he did not slow down when yellow flags were waved for Valtteri Bottas' crash.
It is believed stewards in Mexico initially did not investigate the incident, because the electronic yellow flag light system was not initiated.
But then came the official press conference.
"I was aware that Valtteri crashed," the Red Bull-Honda driver said after beating the Ferraris in qualifying.
Asked if he backed off, Verstappen admitted: "It didn't look like it, did it?"
Told that the FIA might look into the incident, he then added: "Well, then delete my lap."
Verstappen also played down the safety argument, insisting: "I think we know what we are doing, otherwise we would not be driving an F1 car."
Red Bull bosses Dr Helmut Marko and Christian Horner defended their driver. Marko told Bild newspaper: "There was no yellow light on his dashboard or on the pitwall so an engineer could not warn him."
But Villeneuve told Germany's Motorsport-Magazin.com that it is no excuse.
"What matters is the flag on the track. Everything else is a help. The first rule you learn is to obey the flags," he said.
As for Verstappen's behaviour overall, the 1997 world champion added: "I think he's a bad role model.
"And not just for safety reasons. He was on pole and didn't think too much. That was not very clever."
World championship leader Lewis Hamilton also joined Verstappen's critics, declaring: "The FIA should be very strict in enforcing the yellow flag rule.
"I remember a GP2 driver in Monaco injuring one of the marshals, who are actually volunteers who risks their lives for the safety of the drivers on the track," he said.
"Max knew that marshals or Valterri could be on the track and he ignored that."
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This shows how selfish Verstappen is and just wants to win no matter what
Yep. Max is a prat - he proved that yesterday. He could have potentially killed or severely injured Bottas- if Bottas's car had bounced back onto the grid. Ignoring a yellow flag is a no-no!
Max needs to try and think while driving. He needs to act his age not his shoe size which is perhaps between 11 to 13!
Max will never be World Champion until he grows up. Charles , Albon,Norris,Russell will rise up and pass him by when Ham and Vettel move on from the grid.
Max is one of the best talents .He is there with a great ambition to win.If that ambition was not there it would make no point in being a racer.
Flags are for a reason. Nothing to do with ambition.
Nobody is perfect is there.Hope it rains than all will see his class shine through.
Ray, I appreciate your opinion and, yes, VER does have talent. But, he has now had five years to mature and has made very little progress. This latest gaffe is not just stupid, but unforgivable. He might have easily put corner workers in danger. He is fortunate that I wasn't one of the stewards...he would sit for the remainder of the year. If he is ever going to realize the fruits of his talent he MUST get over himself.
Best Drive in the wet was 1978 Trophy at Silverstone. Keke was the rainmaster.
Verstappen admitted: "It didn't look like it, did it?"
Just can’t tell the truth, can he !
I call him, “VerSTOPEM”. He’s a kamikaze driver,with no thought of safety, and gets away with murder at times. He has a long way to go before being a world champion, a VERY long way.
Well said - really old racer!
Yea, Verstappen mad a mistake and will pay for it, he is young but BRILLIANT.
Just one thing about you Villeneuve... You were also young, and ambitious and definately NOT an angel. So, keep your negative comments on this page for yourself. You were and are actually a NOBODY in the F1 world.. Far from your dad's contribution and legacy....
Hi Coetzee, when did you ever win a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ?
NEVER - thought not, so before you open your big mouth again, swallow the fact that in there was this name, Jacques Villeneuve, hitting the headlines around the world.
Where are you mentioned anywhere ? Not in the same league as Jacques egh !
1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve.
I am a dutchie and rooting for Max. But he was clearly at fault here. The first interest of any driver is the security of all drivers and marshalls. Max failed to react correctly to the yellow flag and was punished accordingly. I hope & assume he learned from it and am disappointed he had to learn it the hard way, rather than the smart way.
He can't learn the smart way.... He's dutch
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Max verstappen as done this sort of silly thing before, and he will continue to do so. he even admitted he will carry on doing it but more sneakily in the future. and if he continues to do so i believe no team will want him to drive for them. SAFETY is always a priority.
Yep agreed- Max is an idiot who will kill someone with his car in the future and hopefully it does not take this type if accident for him to mature-he is definately not 100 % in his head!
VER may not only kill someone else, …….has he thought about the fact he may KILL HIMSELF ?