Verstappen earns 'villain' mark from British newspapers after snatching pole from home favourites

In their review of qualifying, several British newspapers called Verstappen a 'villain'. The Sunday Times even did so in their lead.

The newspaper wrote: "Of course, it was Max Verstappen, the ultimate antihero, who dashed the hopes and dreams of British drivers Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton by snagging the pole position in the last seconds of the qualification at Silverstone", lamented the Sunday Times.

The Daily Mail also used the word villain to describe Max Verstappen: "Lewis Hamilton had them on their feet like the old days, a proud brother clapped in the Ferrari garage, and for a minute or two we wondered whether the sun would again shine through on Silverstone's favourite son and truest master.."

Max Verstappen could not count on a warm welcome from everyone at the Silverstone Circuit either. The driver was in fact booed by part of the British audience.