'Outspoken' Verstappen sends rivals clear message over F1 approach

Max Verstappen has insisted that he is not prepared to change his "outspoken" F1 approach, even if people disagree with him. 

Verstappen has been particularly vocal in the media about his dislike of the direction F1 has gone in recent years, with the four-time world champion especially critical of sprint races and the increase in the number of street tracks populating the calendar. 

The Dutchman has been linked with quitting F1 before the end of his Red Bull contract in 2028, with his no-nonsense approach leading to some difficult headlines for F1, including when he blasted the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, stating that the race was "1% sport and 99% entertainment."

Reflecting on his straight-forward approach in an exclusive RacingNews365 interview, Verstappen insisted that: "I am not going to change this because of other people."

"Of course, there are always nicer moments and some not-nice moments, but I'm outspoken and that's how I am. 

"When I feel like something is not right, and I have to say something about it, I will, and if not everyone agrees with it, that is fine. I mean it is their opinion. 

"I don't mind, I will live my life how I want to live it, and if not many people agree with that, it is fine. I don't live your life, I don't tell you how to live your life, but that is why we're on this planet. 

"We all live our lives in a different way, everyone has different professions and of course, some people are very opinionated about others. 

"I am probably not like that in terms of criticising others, but I live my life and I am not going to change this because of other people."

When then asked if he did not want to be seen to have the facade of being seen to have one persona in private and in public, Verstappen issued a firm comment.

"It is not how I work, it is not how I am and not how I want to be," he said.