Max Verstappen defiant in face of F1 ban threat: 'I'll race how I want'

Max Verstappen has defiantly stated he has no intention of changing his approach to racing despite standing on the brink of a ban in F1.

The four-time F1 champion heads into this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix with 11 points on his FIA super licence. One more and he will automatically miss the following race.

Verstappen knows he has to keep it clean at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and again for the following race on Red Bull's home turf in Austria, before points come off his licence at the end of the month.

Verstappen, though, has no intention of racing any differently compared to how he has in the past, even if he appreciates his rivals may try to goad him and force him into making a move that could tip him over the edge.

"Even if they do, it's not in my interest," said Verstappen, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365. "I'll race how I want to race. It's not going to change anything."

Verstappen jokingly suggested the only thing that had changed was that he was suffering with "a little bit of jetlag" given the six-hour time difference between his home in Monaco and Montreal.

As to why he wouldn't change his approach, the 27-year-old was typically defiant: "Why should I?"

It was suggested to Verstappen that the only reason for his stance was because of his position in the championship, sitting 49 points behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri, and if he were that much closer, his viewpoint would be far different.

"Also not [the case]," stated Verstappen. "It is what it is. I was on eight points before, and now I'm on 11. I cannot just back out of everything. I'm just going to race like I always do. I trust myself."

With Verstappen's typical dry sense of humour, when asked how hard it would be to be banned for a GP weekend, he declared: "Not ideal."

As to whether he would do everything to avoid such a scenario, he said: "I'm not here to try and get a ban."

Pointed out to Verstappen that when he drops to nine points on his licence at the end of the month, he would have to race through to Mexico City, so remaining in danger of a ban, and that his situation would still be a story, he signed off in style.

"Maybe for you, not for me," he replied. "I don't think about it."