Verstappen slams F1 rule ’double standards’

Max Verstappen has hit out at "ridiculous" F1 rules.

Amid the controversy about the young Dutchman’s aggressive driving, the Red Bull driver defended his style.

"Many drivers had a problem with the way I defended under braking," Verstappen said, referring to his dice with Lewis Hamilton at Suzuka.

"There was a demand for adjusting the rules," he told a column for his sponsor Exact. "Apparently not everyone likes to be challenged sportingly.

"The problem with this kind of rule is that it complicates the sport," Verstappen continued. "Not just for the viewer, but for the stewards as well."

He said the best example of that was Mexico, where he says some questionable stewards decisions were made.

"Lewis Hamilton cut the first corner and was not penalised, which is fine," said Verstappen. "But when I did exactly the same in my fight with Sebastian Vettel, I lost my third place.

"That is a ridiculous situation," he said, "and it indicates that there are some double standards.

"Rules are obviously needed and I will always respect them," insisted Verstappen, "but it’s only fair if they are the same for everyone."