Verstappen tired of talking politics amid fan issues: I’m an F1 driver

Max Verstappen admits that he is keen to avoid talking about political issues amid reports of fans misbehaving at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Like many drivers and key figures in the sport, Verstappen condemned the behaviour of those responsible for the abuse at the time.

But when asked ahead of the French Grand Prix if he had ever considered speaking out about the issue on social media, the Dutchman suggested that the responsibility to discuss the problem does not lie solely with him.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily only me who has to speak out,” Verstappen told media, including RacingNews365.com.

“That’s what I did in the press conference, because I think that has a lot more traction than anything else.

“If I really have to speak out about everything in the world, then I [would] be non-stop on social media, so there is a place and time.”

Verstappen tired of talking about “political” matters

Whilst other drivers on the grid are known for speaking out about wider issues – most notably Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel – Verstappen does not want to focus on politics.

“I feel like already for a year, the only thing I’m talking about is political stuff,” the Red Bull driver said.

“While at the end of the day, I’m a Formula 1 driver. Of course, when I get things asked, I speak out and I say what I think of the situation, but I shouldn’t be the sort of political movement behind it.”

F1 has to act, not just drivers, says Verstappen

Verstappen believes that it is Formula 1 itself that should act in regards to tackling fans misbehaving, rather than the drivers themselves.

“At the end of the day, I’m a driver in the sport,” he continued.

“People might be my fans, but they are also fans of the sport, [and] some misbehave.

“The sport has to take action, it’s not the driver [in question who] has to take action.”