Verstappen on Hamilton and Vettel: 'Different character makes F1 special'

While Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have strong views on various social issues, Max Verstappen is less concerned. The two multiple World Champions seize every opportunity within a Formula 1 weekend to draw attention to certain issues. Verstappen, on the other hand, wants to be distracted as little as possible.

The 24-year-old Dutchman is mainly focusing on performing. He tries to distance himself as much as possible from anything not related to performance. Not because he doesn't think it's important issues, but more because he wants to make sure he gets the most out of his RB18 during a Grand Prix weekend.

"Of course, I’m in a different stage of my career. And of course, when Seb feels really strong about things, he should say it. Which he does. That’s also great, because you have really different characters in Formula 1. Because that makes F1 special, I think, as well to have these different kinds of characters. And you know, if he wants to speak his mind like that, he should do it. I mean, why not?," Verstappen said in an interview with GP Racing.

Staying close to yourself

The current world championship leader does stress that it should remain a natural thing. According to Verstappen, it is important not to take a forced stance. "I think, it should always be from yourself, like how you are. You shouldn’t be a fake person, trying to just be the ambassador for Formula 1. You should always speak your mind. Of course, you need to be a little careful... But in general, just be yourself. And I think then you’re already naturally a kind of ambassador anyway.”

Topics that are currently drawing a lot of attention in Formula 1 by the likes of Hamilton and Vettel (and there are more) are the LGBTQ+ community, racism, sustainability and the fight against pollution and climate change.