One of the debates that’s likely to rumble on heading into the 2025 Formula 1 season is the treatment of Max Verstappen by the media.
Specifically, the British press, as Max Verstappen was quick to point out after his stunning victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix none of them turned up to his press conference after a soaking wet race.
A theory about the press’ absence after Verstappen’s win in Brazil was floated, but it only added fuel to the fire that rages on social media that’s there a bias against him.
David Coulthard thought Verstappen’s win in Sao Paulo was legendary, but he’s also received some criticism as well.
Incidents earlier in the season in Austria, Austin and Mexico City raised some eyebrows as Verstappen’s aggressive racing style was studied.
Martin Brundle questioned how Red Bull spoke to Verstappen on the radio after he clashed with Lando Norris at the Red Bull Ring, while Damon Hill was unhappy with Verstappen’s driving style in Mexico City.
All this led to Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft being asked by a fan at the Autosport International event about Verstappen who specifically said he wasn’t a fan of the Dutchman.
Croft provided a staunch defence of the four-time world champion that sounded remarkably similar to what Murray Walker once said about Michael Schumacher.
David Croft defends Max Verstappen after ‘petulant’ comment
When one fan put it to Croft that he thought Verstappen was ‘petulant’, he replied: “You are entitled to your view, sir, and I’m not going to disagree with you.
“He’s over-aggressive on track, and he’s petulant to the other drivers… which probably makes him a winner and a champion.
“Now, do we like champions? Do we like winners? We all have our favourites. I get that entirely.
“But the thing about Max is that he does what he does to win and to be a champion, and Red Bull is paying him to win and be a champion, so he’s doing what’s expected of him.
“I have no problem with that whatsoever. I like Max. I’ve always liked Max. I’ve liked him since he first drove in Japan FP1 [in 2014] because he’s got so much talent, and I appreciate the talent.
READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
“Michael Schumacher. We love Michael Schumacher. We love Lewis Hamilton. They’re winners. They’re champions. We love Sebastian Vettel for all those years winning four titles as well.
“He did what he had to do to win as well. And if his teammate got in the way of that, and was collateral damage, as it were…so be it, that didn’t matter. He was a winner.”
Croft pointed out that Verstappen being at the top of the Drivers’ Championship since the 2022 Spanish Grand Prix would have taken a ‘hell of a toll’ on the Dutch driver and that he should be celebrated for his remarkable feat.
What Murray Walker said about Michael Schumacher in 2003
Croft’s comments sound remarkably similar to what Murray Walker said in his 2003 book Unless I’m Very Much Mistaken when talking about Schumacher.
Schumacher was also on a run of winning championship after championship for Ferrari but had his fair share of controversial moments as well.
He had crashed into Hill and Jacques Villeneuve during season finales to try and clinch titles with mixed success.
Walker said of the German at the time: “Michael’s a long way from being everyone’s number one, especially in Britain.
“Tell me what that arrogant b—— Schumacher’s really like, someone once said to me.
READ MORE: How Max Verstappen ‘benefitted’ from learning to go-kart with Michael Schumacher as a child
“Hey, just a minute, have you met him? Why do you say he’s arrogant?
“Oh, you’ve only got to look at him, haven’t you? Well hang on, your prejudice is showing, you’re wrong.
“He’s a really decent bloke, he’s never been anything other than helpful and considerate to me and I’ve got a lot of time for him.
“He’s as friendly as you can expect anybody to be in his position to be. In fact, he’s an amazingly normal bloke if you know him.”
“All you see of him on the box is when he’s under colossal pressure with the whole of Italy and Ferrari depending on him and everyone wanting a piece of his life.”
Comparisons have regularly been made between Verstappen and Schumacher as the 27-year-old has quickly racked up title after title.
He’s hoping to follow in the German’s footsteps and become the second driver in history to win five titles on the bounce with the same team in 2025.
Verstappen will likely need to be his aggressive best to make that happen, and while he’s not going to make any friends on the track like that, he’ll gain plenty of admirers along the way.
