Max Verstappen has brushed off becoming a divisive figure in Formula 1, claiming he is only in the sport to win.
The Dutchman has become known for his aggressive driving style and self-confidence, something which led Nico Rosberg to once call him a “narcissist”.
This season has seen several tasty battles with Charles Leclerc in particular, as they pushed the boundaries of hard racing in Austria and Silverstone.
For Verstappen though, that is just part of his will to succeed.
“I don’t want to sound arrogant or disrespectful to others, but I’m very determined to win and I would not give up,” he said, speaking to the BBC.
“Like when I’m overtaking, if I have to touch, I’ll touch. It’s not like it always needs to be in the cleanest way.
“Let’s say it like this: after my career if I have won five championships but I’m maybe not the most liked person, for me that doesn’t matter, because at the end of the day it’s all about winning.
“And that maybe sounds arrogant, but I don’t want to sound like that. I would do anything – or everything – to win. If it’s a little bit – not dirty, but in a hard way – I will do it. I am not here to be the most liked person.”
Asked where he drew the line between “hard” and “dirty” racing, Verstappen explained: “Dirty is like deliberately [colliding with another car].
“I would refer to Michael Schumacher turning into Damon [Hill] and [Jacques] Villeneuve. Those two were crossing the line.
“But a hard fight, having a bit of a touch, but of course out-braking, being on the edge [is OK].
“Not: ‘The other car is overtaking me, I’ll just turn in and we both crash.’ That’s a different mentality.”
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For many, Verstappen is already primed to take over as F1’s most divisive when Lewis Hamilton eventually retires, but the Red Bull man hasn’t been afraid to take a few shots at the six-time champion in waiting.
Recently, he suggested Hamilton’s success can be linked to having weaker teammates but he was quick to clarify what he meant by that.
“I didn’t say it like that,” he said. “I said that over the years many more drivers if Lewis would have not been in that car, would have won the championship. That’s what I wanted to say.
“As a driver, it is good to have the belief you can do that. There are a few drivers in the paddock who could do that.
“I don’t say they would have won all five. But still, realistically, when you’re totally honest, the only competition he’s had has been his team-mate and they have not been particularly strong. That’s all I wanted to say.
“That doesn’t take anything away from Lewis. He still needs to win the championships, and he has done, but it could have been made a bit harder for him.”