Max Verstappen over-aggression edges GOAT vote

Max Verstappen has often divided opinion, and it seems the latest RacingNews365 poll has further underlined that.

The four-time F1 champion caused a stir during Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix when he opted to deliberately turn in on Mercedes' George Russell after being instructed by Red Bull race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to hand back a position to the Briton.

Verstappen was handed a 10-second penalty by the race stewards after the red mist descended. Crucially, a further three penalty points were added to his licence, leaving him a point away from a race ban.

The situation led us to ask the question: Has your opinion of Max Verstappen changed after the Spanish GP?

Only 10.52 per cent of respondents said that yes, it had, believing him to be a changed character, only for the incident with Russell to show otherwise.

Just over 40 per cent said no, that was not the case, declaring him to still be one of the greatest drivers of all time, regardless of such an incident seemingly staining his character.

The winner of the vote, with just under 50 per cent, were those who also polled no, believing he has always been over-aggressive.

The poll prompted discussion in the comments section.

Ronhar declared Verstappen to be "one of the greatest drivers of all-time, like Michael Schumacher, Lewis [Hamilton] or Ayrton [Senna].

"I don't watch grand prix to see well-behaved drivers all polite and politically correct. What he did was stupid, probably out of rage, and he was penalised, but it is that rage and will to fight that we love, regardless of one stupid moment!!!!"

Blink said: "The stewards handled it well. It gives the media something to go with, and. of course, MV makes their life easy.

"Senna & Schumacher deliberately took opponents out of the race so they could win WDCs. This was a non-event by comparison, but an unnecessary red-mist moment for Verstappen."