It’s hard to analyze who is getting more heat – Max Verstappen or Nico Rosberg. The Hungarian GP 2024, was a mixed bag of controversies and memorable moments. While Rosberg’s ‘curse’ made a comeback, Verstappen’s radio messages and horrendous sleep schedule received conflicting opinions. Pundits of the sport have come up with suggestions for the Dutchman. What he should and shouldn’t do on a race eve. However, Nico Rosberg’s point of view has become an eyesore for many.

Questions like, “Who asked Nico?” have popped up in the last 48 hours. Given, that every person has the right to speak their minds, the former World Champion did the same. But, has he crossed some kind of limits? That’s probably a far-fetched assumption. Meanwhile, many have come in Max Verstappen‘s defense, and one such defender is ex-Ferrari boss, Peter Windsor.

Former Ferrari boss guards Max Verstappen against Rosberg’s bashing

It isn’t a new fact that Verstappen enjoys sim racing. He did the 24H of Nurburgring ahead of the Emilia Romagna GP earlier this year. He even won the race, however, history didn’t repeat itself in Budapest. And so Nico Rosberg passively advised the 3x champ to sleep early the night before the race. He said that while Max slept after 3 am, Lando slept by 10 pm. According to the former Mercedes driver, this affected Verstappen’s racing and he was more irritated due to lack of sleep. The German’s statement seems to have offended Windsor.

Peter noted, “Well, I make of it is that if Lando had followed Max’s regime he wouldn’t have given a win to Oscar Piastri.” He then took a tough stance on Nico Rosberg: “Where does Nico Rosberg get off monitoring the sleeping habits of these drivers? Give me a break! Max is over 21, he knows how much sleep he needs. He knows how to prepare for a grand prix”, adding, “He [Max Verstappen] knows how to think it through. And if he wants to be on the edge, fine. If he wants to have 12 hours of sleep, fine as well.” additionally, Windsor suggested that Max is mature enough to decide what’s good and bad for himself.

Max Verstappen has always tried to maintain balance. And surprisingly he does it well. Peter Windsor strongly believes that if the 26-year-old’s way of relaxing or getting ready for the race is doing sim racing then it’s alright. What Windsor indicated is that no opinion should matter to Verstappen as long as he is following his heart. However, Nico Rosberg had a different perspective.

Nico Rosberg slams Max Verstappen for outings late at night before the Hungarian GP

Nico Rosberg expressed his disappointment with Max Verstappen as he drives the RB20 into a debacle in Hungaroring. Verstappen was competing in iRacing 24H of Spa until 3 in the morning before the race. Following the Dutchman’s fiery bouts of radio messages with GP Lambiase, Sky Sports’ commentator David Croft brought up the potential reason behind his behavior. On the other hand, the 2016 World Champion, Nico Rosberg found the entire concept disappointing. He compared Max and Lando on the grounds of sleep schedule.

Speaking about Lando Norris, Rosberg said, “And yet, now this weekend, for example, so last night, his bedtime was 11:05, not 11:00, 05; wake up was 08:05, breakfast was already set, like exactly what to eat, so hyper professional, which was nice to know.” Then he talked about Verstappen, claiming “And at the same time, in contrast, you had Verstappen, who until 3 am last night was sim racing. You know, that’s a bit disappointing, isn’t it? It just shows that he’s too used to his ease of domination.” 

Did Nico Rosberg say something out of the line? Was the extreme comparison necessary? The F1 community is divided. While Peter Windsor defended Max, it cannot be denied that Verstappen was not his best on Sunday. Fans are indeed too used to seeing the 3x world champ dominate the tracks. Now, only the Belgian GP could overturn all the ‘poor form’ allegations on Verstappen.