'It's not racing' - Damon Hill sharply criticises Max Verstappen tactics

1996 F1 champion Damon Hill has once again questioned Max Verstappen's approach to racing.

Verstappen has built a reputation of being extremely robust in wheel-to-wheel combat, taking an aggressive stance when battling Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris for the F1 titles in recent years.

Verstappen has, on occasion, been punished for his aggressive tactics, and Hill has been critical of the Dutchman in the past.

Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, Hill was asked about his view on Verstappen's racing approach as he highlighted his perspective has not changed.

“My take on it was when you're racing someone and you want to stop them from passing, you simply canon your car up the inside - even if the regulations haven't been written clearly enough to say you can do that - I don't think that's racing,” he said.

“It's taking a massive risk. Other people don't do it, and if other people don't do it, you're an outlier.

“Running people clean off the track just to stop someone from passing, is not racing. It's not racing, it's simply dodgems or whatever you want to call it. 

“We want to see skill and daring. We want to see it surgically done, not a bludgeon. You don't take a mallet to something, we want to see it done with a rapier. 

“You want to see it cleanly done, effectively done and beautifully done.

“You can't have a free-for-all. You have to have someone say: 'Okay, we want to see racing, but we don't want it going beyond certain bounds'. You have rules in every sport.”

Verstappen sits as one of the sport's most successful drivers with four titles and over 60 race wins.

While Hill is critical of the 27-year-old's racing tactics, he labelled Verstappen as one of the best in the business.

When questioned where he sits on the. list of great drivers, Hill replied: “Right up there. No question.”

And asked if he considers Verstappen can be considered for the number one spot, Hill responded: “Possibly. 

“In terms of his effectiveness, in terms of his preparedness, his maturity, his speed, he's a phenomenon. And there are very few phenomena drivers.”