Max Verstappen told he is ‘great example’ of having different personalities in F1

Max Verstappen caused controversy in 2024 with his driving conduct on track, after the Dutchman got caught up in various incidents.

Lando Norris and Verstappen came to blows for the first time during the Austrian Grand Prix. Following a slow pit stop from the Red Bull crew, the two title rivals were fighting for the lead of the race when Norris collided with Verstappen at Turn 3.

The McLaren driver was forced to retire while the stewards handed Verstappen a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision. Later on during the season in Austin, Norris had to avoid Verstappen by going off track when attempting an overtake at Turn 12.

Norris would earn a penalty on that occasion but at the following race in Mexico, Verstappen got handed two 10-second time penalties for forcing the McLaren driver off track.

Verstappen is known for being ruthless and cuts a controversial image, with the Dutchman also staging a media strike in Singapore after being penalised by the FIA for swearing in a press conference.

But his persona is a lot different from how he conducts himself on track, according to former racing driver turned F1 analyst James Hinchcliffe on the Red Flags podcast.

James Hinchcliffe reveals how Max Verstappen’s personality differs on and off track

Drivers are often different on-track compared to their off-track personalities, and Verstappen is no exception.

Although Verstappen can sound flustered on team radio to his engineers, off the track he is a much more easy-going personality according to Hinchcliffe.

“Max is a sweetheart. He’s one of the nicest guys in the paddock. I think a lot of times you see drivers have a different on-track personality compared to off-track personality,” said Hinchcliffe.

“I think Max is a great example of that. On the track he’s a stone-cold killer, he goes tight to the lines and sometimes past it. But off-track, he’s just a dude who loves going racing. He’s a really nice kid.”

Max Verstappen closing in on one-race ban at start of 2025

While Verstappen gains credit for being nice off-track, his antics on track mean he will likely have to be a bit more careful in the early parts of 2025.

This is because the Dutchman is now four penalty points away from incurring a one-race ban, after getting caught up in a tangle with Oscar Piastri on the opening lap of the Abu Dhabi GP.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has said that he has told his drivers to race Verstappen differently, following a series of incidents involving his cars last year.

The team was Red Bull’s main challenger in the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championship last year, which is why Verstappen was often more ruthless with their drivers.