The aggressive driving style of Max Verstappen has forever been a divisive factor in the F1 fraternity. While some believe it is fair, others feel it is dangerous. Not just for him, but for other drivers around him as well. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what side of the spectrum you are on. We definitely know where Lewis Hamilton stands on this issue, having been on the receiving end more than once. A former teammate of the Dutchman has now come out in support. He hailed him for a unique quality.

The 2021 campaign saw Hamilton and Verstappen race wheel to wheel on many occasions. The Brit gave his opponent some leeway a couple of times. However, he felt enough was enough at his home race at Silverstone. That time, both title contenders had a heavy crash that saw Max’s Red Bull land on top of Lewis’ halo. Later, the 7x champion termed his opponent’s approach as “do or die”.

Alex Albon, however, feels his former teammate has a fairly clean racing style. “Everything looks natural for him when he’s driving,” The Athletic recently quoted him as saying. “It’s a very clean driving style, but I know he’s on the limit.”

Albon feels that the Dutchman is pretty much on the limit while driving. However, Verstappen himself thinks he is comfortable in his approach and it comes naturally to him. He said, “I never experienced a fast car which has understeer (turning less sharply than desired) in my life, in any category.”

“I feel like if people ask me what is your driving style, I cannot tell you, because I always adapt to what I get in the best way possible.”

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A former F1 driver once gave his verdict on ‘Mad’ Max’s racing style and he wasn’t as kind as Albon.

When a former F1 driver slammed Max Verstappen for putting his life on the edge

Today, F1 is much safer than it once was. Drivers passing away after a crash was a common occurrence each year. That has changed over the years, as the FIA learned from each incident to get the sport to where it is today. That gives drivers like Max an added bit of freedom to go for every little opportunity in a corner while attacking his opponents. If Bruno Giacomelli was to be believed, the Dutchman would not have lived for too long if he raced in his era.

In a 2020 interview with Motorsport Italy, he said, “Looking at the results, Schumacher has won seven world championships.”

“Fangio won five, but Fangio won them with different cars and at a time when people were dying, you know what I mean?” he added. “Do you know what it means to die? It means that Verstappen, if he had driven the 80s cars that I drove, would have died at least three or four times.”

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While Max’s driving style remains a subject up for debate, FIA’s efforts at making the sport safer are definitely commendable. That being said, it is an ongoing process, and each year, they must make more efforts in the right direction.