Why Verstappen’s 'direct' approach doesn't really align with modern F1
Max Verstappen sometimes faces heavy criticism, but according to Arie Luyendyk, it’s not because he’s doing anything wrong — it’s because he refuses to conform, and Luyendyk sees this as a strength. The two-time Indy 500 winner explains why Verstappen’s approach clashes with today’s Formula 1 environment.
Max Verstappen is arguably one of the very few drivers on the current grid — alongside perhaps Fernando Alonso and a select few others — who always speaks his mind without filters or hesitation.
Naturally, this outspoken attitude has drawn both praise and criticism: some admire him for his honesty, while others believe he occasionally crosses the line.
Verstappen like 'old-school' Marko
According to Luyendyk, Verstappen is still 'traditionally' direct, just like Red Bull's advisor Helmut Marko: "Marko is an old-school tough guy," he said in conversation with fellow former IndyCar driver Paul Tracy on The Racer Channel.
''A lot of people don't like it because it's not our era right now. That's not about what humanity is about, being that tough and that straightforward.''
He recognizes this attitude in Verstappen as well: ''That's why Max gets a lot of anti, a lot of bad, not press, but from the fans maybe, because he's so direct.''
He laments that there's hardly any room left for outspoken characters, because there are fines against certain language use: ''He could afford it, but it's too bad because I think, drivers like Foyt, Tony Stewart, they spoke their mind. And they were loved for it.''
These days, everyone has to watch their words, Luyendyk emphasizes: ''You get these guys that are all political and all politically correct. I wanted to post a picture or somebody sent me a picture of me flipping off somebody and from the in-car camera.''
''You can see my hand up in the air and I'm flipping off the guy. And then somebody said, oh, you can't post that. I go like, well, I guess not, I can't post that anymore. I don't think it's even in my book. It should have been a spread in my book actually,'' he concluded.
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