F1 legend advises Verstappen after 'disturbing' trend

F1 and motorsport legend Jacky Ickx has advised Max Verstappen that his rivals will begin to "dislike" him, due to his "disturbing" dominance. 

Verstappen claimed a fourth consecutive F1 drivers' title last year with two races remaining, moving him level on championships with Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost. 

Despite Red Bull encountering several issues with its car from mid-season onwards, the Dutchman still ended 2024 having won the most races (nine). 

The 27-year-old has been unstoppable under the current regulations, winning 43 of the 68 completed races since the start of 2022. 

Reflecting on Verstappen's fourth title, Ickx highlighted the driver's dominance and how his rivals will react, whilst also pointing towards the significance of last season's São Paulo Grand Prix.

"Max, is part of those people who have [so many achievements]," Ickx exclusively told RacingNews365. "We exchange [messages] from time to time. Short messages.

"For example, the race he did in Brazil. The drama when you win too often, when you dominate a series, it becomes disturbing. 

"You punish [drivers], people start to dislike you because you know the result of the race before the start, because you dominate things. 

"This wasn't the case for the last six or seven races, but when there are big difficulties, I told him, 'You will remember Brazil'."

São Paulo magic

Ahead of the race in São Paulo, Verstappen had been on a 10-race winless streak, his longest since 2020.

The Dutchman was not a favourite for victory, as he started down in 17th following a Q2 elimination and a five-place grid penalty.

However, in treacherous conditions at Interlagos, he calved his way through the field to claim one of his greatest victories in F1. 

It resulted in an outpour of emotion rarely seen by the reigning world champion, something Ickx can relate to having won the Le Mans 24 Hours from last in 1969. 

"Brazil will remain a legendary race where basically the clerk of the course didn't interfere in the race itself, it would have been easy to put the safety car for 20 laps," Ickx noted.

"So amazingly, his love level has increased in an unbelievable way. And he says, yes, it was plenty of emotions. Because when you start last and you win, people love that. 

"And I know that because earlier in my life, I started last at Le Mans and I won with the shortest distance at the end. It's much nicer to be a hunter than being chased."