Max Verstappen disregards the controversial Red Bull cost cap saga as the usual noise generated by fierce competitors Mercedes and Ferrari.
Despite being on the verge of clinching his second consecutive world championship in Singapore, the reigning champion says he is not concerned about losing his titles.
Per De Telegraaf, Verstappen said: “What I hear from the team is that everything was done correctly,”
“I don’t value it. I know where it comes from and which people are complaining about it.”
Having turned 25 on Friday, Verstappen also said he is not surprised that many people in the media are saying that the scandal might cost him his championship titles.
“Yes, especially in England I am not surprised,” He added.
“But I have no fear of it. It is the other teams talking when they cannot have all the information. I think that’s a bit stupid. What do I think? Just shut up.”
Saturday’s Q3 session in Singapore further exacerbated the situation when Verstappen was unable to hide his rage with his own team after qualifying because he felt it was “unacceptable” that his final fast lap was cut short by his engineer due to a lack of fuel for the obligatory 1-litre sample.
“We had only refuelled for five laps,” explained Helmut Marko. “If we hadn’t come in, they would have disqualified us.”
“Things like that can happen – it’s not just Ferrari,” he said, attempting to make light of the situation. But here of course it is doubly bitter.”
Helmut Marko also acknowledged that Verstappen will have a hard time cutting through the pack to charge for victory as he starts eighth on the grid as a result.
He said: “It won’t be possible to catch up like we did in Hungary.”
Verstappen agrees and told Canal Plus: “I don’t think I can get on the podium. It’s so difficult to overtake here.”
“It’s a bit like Monaco. You have to try to follow and try something on the strategy. I think tomorrow I will be saying that I was blocked by the cars in front of me.
“Of course, I’m not entirely happy with what went on. I know that Formula 1 is a team sport and I can make a mistake, and the team can make a mistake. But this is always unacceptable.”
Verstappen refuted that his rage is an indication that he is under pressure, despite the fact that he is on his way to winning his second championship. “I let it all come to me. I don’t feel any pressure,” he said.
“I also think it is right to take a critical position. If I screw up, the team can tell me about it too. We want to be perfect. Not just good, but perfect.”
