F1 legend Niki Lauda slams Max Verstappen for being ‘stupid’ and ‘arrogant’
Lauda: 'He drives too aggressively. At some point he has to realise it. A repeated offender like him has to be penalised'
BEN HUNT in Mexico City
NIKI LAUDA has slammed Max Verstappen - blasting him "stupid" and "arrogant".
The three-time world champion launched a scathing attack after the Red Bull racer was involved in a series of on track battles with Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel.
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Max Verstappen finished in third place only to be bumped down to fourth after receiving a time penaltyCredit: Getty Images
Verstappen finished the Mexico GP in third place but was later bumped down to fourth after receiving a time penalty.
The 19-year-old has been heavily criticised already this season by his peers who claim some of his manoeuvres are too dangerous.
And Lauda has now weighed with his views and says Red Bull's advisor, Helmut Marko, needs to calms his young star down.
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Niki Lauda slammed Max Verstappen for being 'stupid' and 'arrogant'Credit: Getty Images
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Verstappen's moves are 'too dangerous,' says LaudaCredit: EPA
He said: "Nico clearly was in front and Verstappen rams him off the track. This could have cost Nico the championship. This is not acceptable.
"It's Verstappen's fault. He drives too aggressively. At some point he has to realise it. This is a lost cause.
"A repeated offender like him has to be penalised. Helmut should talk to him.
"If Verstappen wouldn't drive that aggressively, he would develop much better. His talent is unbelievable but then he smashes it all with these stupid actions.
"He doesn't realise. He thinks he is doing everything right but he doesn't. He has to calm down.
"I don't know where this arrogance comes from. I don't understand. The fury of the other drivers just gets bigger and bigger."
The Ferrari driver turned the airwaves blue with an outrageous attack on Race Director Charlie Whiting -- which could earn the German a serious punishment.
It is the latest in a string of uncharacteristic outbursts from Vettel as the strain of Ferrari's woeful season begins to show.
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Verstappen talks with ex-racer Juan Pablo MontoyaCredit: Getty Images
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A word in your ear...Verstappen chats to F1 chief Bernie EcclestoneCredit: Getty Images
Marko said: "The situation is unworthy of a four-time world champion. His choice of words certainly wasn't first class."
Red Bull boss Christian Horner says he would be surprised if Vettel does not face further action from the FIA.
He added: "It is not an attribute that Sebastian had when he drove for us. Obviously his frustration is vocalising, and everyone can hear that.
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Classic Sebastian Vettel...but that's not how his race turned outCredit: EPA
"In the heat of the moment there is always going to be emotion from the driver. In other sports, I am sure if football players had microphones on, then the language would be an awful lot bluer than what is going on out on track.
"However, in any sport, what you cannot do is give abuse to the referee essentially. So, I would be surprised if that would not earn him a reprimand."
VETTEL's RADIO RANT IN FULL
On Verstappen...
Vettel: "Move! Move for [bleep] sake!"
Vettel: "He's a [long bleep], that's what he is."
Vettel: "I mean, am I the only one or are you not seeing what I'm seeing? He's just backing me off into Ricciardo [bleep]."
Engineer Riccardo Adami: "Charlie said that..."
Vettel: "Yeah! You know what, here is the message for Charlie: [bleep] off! Honestly, [bleep] off."
After the Ricciardo incident...
Vettel: "Honestly, I'm going to hit someone I think I have a puncture, rear left."
Engineer Riccardo Adami: "Tyres are fine, tyres are fine."
On the slowing down lap...
Vettel: "He has to give me the position. End of the story."
Team boss Maurizio Arrivabene "Sebastian, Sebastian, calm down, calm down. They are under investigation. I know that it is not fair but calm down. Put your head down and we talk afterwards."
Vettel: "OK, copy Maurizio."
