Former world champion Damon Hill has likened Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to the Wacky Races villain Dick Dastardly, criticising his driving tactics during the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Verstappen received a total of 20 seconds in penalties for two separate incidents with his championship rival, Lando Norris, on Sunday.
Although Verstappen finished in sixth place, McLaren’s Norris, who finished second, called Verstappen’s actions “dangerous.”
Hill, speaking on a Sky Sports podcast, said: “The area footage is very clear. He made no attempt to back off and make the corner and leave room for Lando. It was simply a case of you are not coming through.”
Hill went on to add that Verstappen’s second manoeuvre was “daft and Dick Dastardly stuff,” saying: “He accelerated to the apex and drove Lando off the track and Lando didn’t have much option. That was silly driving.”
The reference to Dick Dastardly calls to mind the character from the 1960s cartoon Wacky Races, known for trying to win races through underhanded tactics.
“He made no attempt to back off” ❌
Damon Hill discusses Max Verstappen’s driving style after his two penalties at the Mexico City Grand Prix 👀 pic.twitter.com/zi5T5c9trs
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) OCTOBER 29, 2024
Verstappen, however, dismissed the criticism, stating: “I just drive how I think I have to drive. Last week it was all right, this week 20 seconds penalty.
“I am not going to cry about it and I am also not going to share my opinion. The biggest problem I had is that it was a bad day in terms of race pace.”
The Mexico race wasn’t the first clash between Verstappen and Norris – the two were also involved in a similar incident during the previous race in Austin, Texas.
However, in that instance, it was Norris who was penalized after attempting an outside pass on Verstappen, with both drivers veering into the runoff area.
With four Grands Prix remaining in the 2024 season, the competition heats up as the circuit heads to Brazil this weekend.
Verstappen currently holds a 47-point lead over Norris, who is competing for his first championship title, while Verstappen is eyeing his fourth.
Reflecting on the race’s incidents, Hill added: “They say that sport doesn’t build character, it shows character, and his default is to revert to preventative methods rather than trying to keep it within the bounds of fairness.
“You shouldn’t be allowed to use your car as a weapon and simply block the track.”
The season’s remaining points, totalling 120, keep the championship within reach for both drivers.
