1996 world champion Damon Hill has slammed Max Verstappen for repeatedly criticizing the change in F1’s formats. The 62-year-old is far from happy after the Dutchman said that the sprint race format should be scrapped.
Speaking of Verstappen’s comments, Hill sarcastically told Sky Sports F1 (as quoted by planetf1.com), “We should just give Max Verstappen the championship and just not bother with anything else. Sorry, that’s just sulking. That’s a poor loser. Sorry. It’s fair for everyone. It’s the same competition“.
What did Max Verstappen say about the sprint race format?
Max Verstappen has repeatedly raised concerns about the everchanging schedule of F1. For example, he has expressed his displeasure about the newer formats on various occasions by explaining how they do not make much ‘sense’ for the sport.
Speaking of the sprint race format, the Dutchman said during his press conference on April 29 (as quoted by planetf1.com), “Just scrap the whole thing. I think it is just important to go back to what we have and make sure that every team can fight for a win“.
The 25-year-old is unhappy with the way in which F1 is now trying to create ‘artificial excitement’. Verstappen wants F1 to return to the old ways in which there is just one qualifying session that decides the grid for Sunday’s main race.
Verstappen previously questioned whether he’s ‘living a good life’
Max Verstappen finds himself in a privileged position as he has not only made it to F1 but has also had the experience of winning the world championship on two occasions (2021, 2022). Consequently of his success in the sport, he pockets a whopping $55 million per year in salary from Red Bull.
Since the Dutchman has achieved so much, something that most aspiring F1 drivers can only dream of, it sounds strange that he would question the quality of his life. Despite that, in an interview with Autosport, the 25-year-old raised questions about whether drivers like him are ‘living a good life’.
Verstappen elaborated on his point by explaining if it is actually worth it for drivers to spend such a significant part of their year just on racing. He believes that with more and more races coming up, the drivers do not get time to do anything else.
He then concluded his remarks by suggesting that he may quit F1 if he does not enjoy it anymore after his contract with Red Bull expires at the end of the 2028 season.
