Max Verstappen has hit back at Damon Hill for comparing him to ‘Dick Dastardly’ after his controversial driving in Mexico City last weekend.
The Red Bull star was handed two 10-second penalties for strong-arm tactics as he and championship rival Lando Norris sparred.
The incidents prompted Hill to tell the Sky Sports F1 podcast: ‘Max’s problem is that he simply refuses to give anyone any ground when overtaking.
“The second move was just idiotic and Dick Dastardly stuff. He simply accelerated to the top and ran Lando off the track and Lando didn’t have much of a choice. That was stupid driving.’
Ahead of this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, Verstappen responded to the 1996 world champion’s criticism by saying: ‘I don’t listen to those individuals. I just do my thing. I’m a three-time world champion and I know what I’m doing. I have my opinion, and I don’t have to share it.’
Max Verstappen seemed unaffected by the criticism leveled at him by 1996 world champion Damon Hill
Verstappen and his title rival Lando Norris (orange McLaren) had an exciting battle on the circuit in Mexio
Hill accused Verstappen of not playing fair in his bid to once again retain his world title and compared the driver to iconic 1960s Wacky Races character Dick Dastardly.
When asked whose advice he listened to, the Dutchman, who leads Norris by 47 points with another 120 points to spare, added: ‘People who are close to me and are objective and not just stirring things up’ , he said.
“Some people are very annoying, and I know who they are, and I don’t pay attention to them.
‘I trust the people around me who are honest, have a good heart and mean well.’
Norris revealed he has not spoken to Verstappen since their clashes, saying: “Deep down, Max knows he was wrong.”