The 2024 Formula One season has wrapped up with Max Verstappen as a 4-time world champion. However, during the course of the season, the Dutchman has come under fire in the media. This is largely because he has often been accused of aggressive tactics during the race. The Red Bull star has been notorious for his no-holds-barred approach with his rivals, and that led to a few complaints.

Chief among them in 2024 have been Mercedes F1 driver George Russell and McLaren F1 star Lando Norris. The former even made some insinuations about the Flying Dutchman, and the media has been blowing it up. It is getting to the point where people are either on Max’s side or against him. Surprisingly though, Verstappen has gotten a few people on his side, all residing across the pond, in America.

Among his few allies were NASCAR driver Parker Kligerman and ex-NASCAR driver Landon Cassill. Speaking on The Money Lap podcast, the two discussed the 2024 F1 season finale in detail, and that is when they also talked about the war of words between Verstappen and Russell after an incident in Qatar.

Dale Earnhardt, famously known as “The Intimidator,” was the embodiment of fearless and aggressive driving in NASCAR. His iconic “bump-and-run” and relentless pressure on rivals made him a fan favorite and a nightmare for competitors. One unforgettable moment came during the 1999 Bristol Night Race when Earnhardt bumped Terry Labonte in the final laps, sending him spinning across the finish line as Earnhardt claimed victory. True to form, he quipped afterward, “I didn’t mean to wreck him, just rattle his cage.”

And, while the Earnhardt era is gone, and NASCAR fans often compare Ross Chastain to him and some even call Chastain the Next Fen Intimidator, what Max Verstappen‘s been doing in Formula 1 is nothing less. However, referring to George Russell’s scathing comments about the 4-time F1 World Champion, on his The Money Lap podcast, Kligerman said, “People have been bullied by Max for years’. Obviously, people like Lando, call out Max for being overly aggressive, overspeeding the center of corners to get the axle ahead. So that he can dominate the corner, shoving people off. Here’s the deal. I have never seen a successful F1 driver, who goes on to win multiple championships.”

He even went on to compare Max’s driving style as well as his passion with the likes of Michael Schumacher. He added, “Whether it’s Schumacher, Senna, Lewis, or Sebastian Vettel, that has not been accused of being ‘overly aggressive.’ Michael Schumacher, 1997 in Jerez against Villeneuve. Yes, he turned into him, of course, he turned into him, he was trying to end that sh*t. Adelaide 1994, Damon Hill and him, yeah he turned into Damon Hill, he was trying to end that sh*t and win.”

In essence, Parker Kligerman was of the opinion that no champion ever won their title by being ‘nice.’ Some of the greatest F1 drivers and champions have often employed aggressive tactics. A prime example is Michael Schumacher, who was notorious for questionable tricks on his rivals. Sometimes they worked in his favor, and other times he was caught red-handed and punished for them.

On the subject of ruthlessness, Cassill replied, “You’re right, you’re so right, and I love it. Look at the best performers in any sport. They are absolute killers. Max is an absolute killer. Dale Earnhardt, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, just a killer. Like, r*p your head off. They seem like nice guys, they’re not.”

Cassill here was referring to a driver’s kil*er instinct to go and gun for wins and titles. There is no room for being gentlemanly when racing out on the track. No driver worth their salt would ever roll over and allow the car behind to overtake without a fight. It is just not in their blood to go, ‘After you. No! After you, good sir!’

A racing driver is always going to try every trick in the book in order to overtake. That is because they know they have what it takes to win races and titles, and they are not afraid to get their hands dirty. Evidently, Max Verstappen subscribes to that line of thinking and will not want to change his ways.

While the F1 season is done, and Max Verstappen has once again proven his skill, it is time for others to do so.