Hughes: 'Zero compromise attitude from Verstappen you only see on the track'

Max Verstappen came under heavy fire on social media after the Brazilian Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing driver reacted furiously to the hate messages he received. F1 expert and journalist Mark Hughes sees Verstappen being totally misunderstood.

Verstappen not like his father

Verstappen was very vocal towards his team in the final moments of the Brazil GP. The Dutchman was adamant he would not let Sergio Perez pass him. The way he made that clear to his team met with fierce criticism. His character was questioned and his family was also mentioned in the threatening hate messages on social media.

Hughes balks for Verstappen and sees that the Dutchman is not understood by the critics on social media. The Brit admits that Verstappen has the character of an assassin on the track and has a zero compromise attitude, but that apart from racing he is actually a peaceful person. At Motorsportmagazine.com Hughes writes: "There isn’t really a ‘side’ to him, no cynical, calculated strategy there, but his racing persona, very much formed and honed by father Jos Verstappen – a man whose ferocity in the car extends to the outside world much more than with Max – is zero compromise and binary."

In Mexico, Verstappen already said no

Hughes does understand the fierce reaction Verstappen gave over the board radio in Brazil. After all, Verstappen had previously spoken out clearly. Not only in any talks behind closed doors between team members, but also already in front of the media. Hughes cited Verstappen's answer when asked if he would help Perez get his home victory. Verstappen said 'no' and explained in a normal way why not.

Hughes: "He could have made it easier on himself [in Brazil] by staying quiet or saying, 'We'll discuss this later'. But he gave an answer from his perspective in the car." According to the Briton, it is important that people see the distinction between Verstappen in the car and out of the car. Critics on social media are not always as knowledgeable as they think themselves to be, according to Hughes. And Verstappen couldn't agree more, according to his own statements.