Verstappen dismisses Herbert's criticism after intimidation accusation

Herbert compared Verstappen to 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' after their collision during second practice in Mexico. The two drivers made contact in the stadium section and were each handed a one-place grid penalty and a penalty point on their licence. Verstappen then voiced his frustration with Lawson, referring to the uncertainty surrounding Lawson's seat.

Herbert felt those comments went too far. He viewed them as a threat directed at the Racing Bulls driver. After qualifying in Brazil, Verstappen is asked whether he understands why the Briton sees it that way. "Why did he say that? No idea," says Verstappen, who is hardly losing sleep over Herbert's reaction.

"Honestly, I don't care about it at all. Why should his opinion matter to me?" he adds. A week after the Mexico Grand Prix, Verstappen has no desire to discuss the incident at length again. He has spoken with Lawson, although the Dutchman still stands by his view that the move was unnecessary.

“We've talked it through, and that's the end of it for me. I think everyone knows where things stand and what the agreements and rules are. It will help him to understand that, too. Of course, he wants to prove himself, but he would be better off choosing someone else to do that against," Verstappen believes.

Earlier this season, Verstappen also responded to Damon Hill. The 1996 world champion initially criticised him for complaining about the new F1 regulations, but later spoke out himself about the driver's diminishing influence. Verstappen was asked about this change of stance during the Singapore weekend.

He felt that some former drivers were voicing their opinions without being sufficiently prepared: "Some former drivers barely study the new regulations," Verstappen said. "As a result, they don't really understand how the power unit works or what matters in that regard. Then, when they are asked a question on television, you sometimes hear some remarkable answers. That doesn't apply to everyone, but it is the case with some of them."

Verstappen said he was not trying to prove himself right in hindsight. Above all, he wanted to point out where he thought Formula 1 needed to make improvements. "I say what I think, where I believe things are going wrong and what should be done differently. People sometimes disagree with that, or they don't understand what I mean. In the end, it will become clear whether something works out well. Sometimes you see that sooner than you do at other times."