Hill speaks out on Verstappen backlash: 'He'd cry like a baby'

Damon Hill has spoken out on the backlash he and Sky Sports received for speaking openly about Max Verstappen, who he believes would "cry like a baby" if drivers raced him the way he races them.

After 13 years working for the UK F1 broadcaster, Hill parted ways with Sky at the end of 2024. The 1996 F1 champion was openly very critical of Verstappen, something which many wondered was a reason for his exit.

Hill jokingly described Verstappen as Dick Dastardly of Wacky Races after he collided twice with Lando Norris in Mexico City. 

Soon after, Verstappen and his father, former F1 driver Jos Verstappen, complained of "biased people" in the paddock. 

Hill was slightly hurt by some of the comments and criticism of Sky's coverage also being judged as biased, something he stressed is far from the case. 

In addition, the Briton criticised Red Bull for having this view of the broadcaster.

"Red Bull fight their corner very forcefully," Hill told The Telegraph. “And they don’t like criticism of Max. And they didn’t like, particularly, some of the things that were said.

"On the whole they’ve always taken the view that Sky are British-centric and biased, which is really unfair I think.

"Actually I think there is a desire [the other way]. I don’t think Sky want to be accused of being biased at all. I think they want to be a fair broadcaster of the sport – credit where credit’s due and all that.

"They also do not want to be denied access to a very important figure in this sport. And I think Red Bull know that, and they apply pressure if they need to."

'Not anti-Max'

Despite criticising Verstappen on-air at times last season, Hill has insisted that he is not against the four-time world champion. 

In fact, Hill is a fan of the 27-year-old but does not believe Red Bull manage him correctly in regard to when he goes beyond the limit.

“But I’m not anti-Max," Hill added. "This is the point. I think Max is brilliant. I like him. I mean what’s not to like? He’s sensational. But when I felt he overstepped the mark, I said so.

"And I think Red Bull have a responsibility, their team management has a responsibility, to the sport you know? If their driver goes over the limit on occasion, they have a responsibility to say ‘You can’t do that.’ And they don’t.

"That’s always been my issue with them. That they have almost given Max carte blanche and protected their driver from not sticking to the code, if you like."

Red Bull poor management 'example'

In Hill's eyes, an example of Red Bull not managing Verstappen correctly was the driver's interpretation of overtaking on corner entry. 

Verstappen often forced drivers off the circuit last year, but argued that it was his position due to being ahead at the apex. 

According to Hill, only the reigning world champion interpreted the rules this way, and that if a driver did the same to him it would result in a stark reaction.

"I’ll give you an example,” he said. "[Last year] Max correctly interpreted to his advantage the rule about overtaking and being ahead at the apex on the inside.

"There’s nothing in the rules that says you can’t do that. And it’s exciting to see people dive down the inside. Except that no other driver does it. And if someone was to do it to him, he’d cry like a baby.

"And that’s one of my issues with them. Red Bull simply can’t accept that. No, it really is slightly disappointing, to say the least, that they like to be thought of as the hard kids on the block, but when something doesn’t go their way, they cry about it."

'I like Max'

As mentioned, Hill is not "anti-Max" and is an admirer of his ability. However, some accused Sky's coverage of being "anti-Dutch", something Hill completely disagrees with.

"As I say, I like Max," insisted Hill.

"What I don’t like is jingoism. And I don’t like the fact that it became a ‘You’re against us because we’re not British’ and all that nonsense, which was used as a way of pressuring us.

"It’s utterly unfair to suggest that there is any kind of anti-Dutch thing going on. What can you do? I thought I was there to express my opinion."