Max Verstappen wasn’t the favorite to win at COTA. How scandalous is that considering his ability to pull a 20-second gap to P2? History and statistics tell us that the winners at COTA start from the front row. Call it the ‘COTA curse’. Verstappen qualified P6 after his lap was deleted for track limits. Was it another Singapore Grand Prix in the making? On lap 28, however, Max Verstappen took the lead, winning the race by under 2 seconds. Despite pulling off a difficult win, the RB driver’s reception wasn’t friendly by any means. “Checo Checo” echoed as the Dutch was handed off his trophy.

Often labeled as the teammate destroyer, Verstappen has caused the demise of talented drivers from Red Bull. The Dutch driver was paired with Carlos Sainz in Toro Rosso on his debut. And if stats tell us anything, Sainz is not a bad driver. In fact, he is the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race this season. However, next to the talent of Verstappen, even Sainz’s tactical genius was incomparable. As a result, Verstappen was shifted to the main team, whereas Sainz was loaned to Renault. His habit of outshining his teammates, however, wasn’t welcome at the 2023 United States Grand Prix. 

Former F1 driver disapproves the Max Verstappen hate train at the US GP

With the second American race of the season, the Dutch driver was booed during the podium ceremony for the second time. However, this time around, the triple-time champion has found an ally in a former F1 driver. 

Timo Glock is a former German F1 driver. Acquainted with the glitz and glamor and controversies in Formula 1, he has extended his support to the RB driver. In a column for Sky Sports, he wrote, “Why Max Verstappen was booed after his victory in Austin is incomprehensible to me. It may be due to the topic between Sergio Perez and Red Bull, but Verstappen has nothing to do with that.” 

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With Helmut Marko’s regrettable comments on Sergio Perez, many have speculated that Verstappen’s inability to distance himself from the Austrian talent scout is a reason for the backlash. Glock elaborated, “That’s why I can’t understand it at all. This is a pity for the sport, because Verstappen is an exceptional athlete who has delivered an incredible performance this year. In my opinion, this is an absolute no-go. You shouldn’t do that.” However, for diehard Checo fans, maybe it’s the flashbacks of the Brazilian Grand Prix 2022. 

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The negative PR comes just ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, Perez’s home race. But Max Verstappen isn’t bothered by the hostile reception.

Disrespectful fans can’t rain on Verstappen’s parade

Although Verstappen has found allies in former drivers and F1 pundits, he remains unconcerned. “I am tired of all the questions. If I get a few more I will headbutt someone.” The RB driver has been feisty from the beginning. Although many have been critical of his public image, the Dutch driver has no seconds to spare for anything but racing. 

Similar to COTA, Verstappen had a difficult start in the Miami Grand Prix. Yet, starting ninth on the grid, he soon was visible in Perez’s rearview mirror. Despite winning the race, Verstappen faced the hostility of fans. However, in a post-race interview, he said, “I take the trophy home and they go back to their houses and they can have a nice evening.” 

As far as the booing in COTA, Verstappen resonated a similar response, “In the end, I’m the one who takes the silverware home.” 

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Love him or hate him, Max Verstappen is the living embodiment of ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me’.