Ex-F1 driver and current FIA steward Johnny Herbert believes that Max Verstappen’s perceived aura of invincibility might be starting to fade.
For years, Verstappen has commanded not only the racetrack but also the mental battlefield of Formula 1, leveraging his aggressive racing style and sharp comments to keep rivals at bay.
But Herbert suggests a “question mark” over the Red Bull driver’s ability to intimidate his F1 rivals is starting to appear.
Both Lando Norris and George Russell have publicly stood up to the four-time world champion’s contentious tactics, on and off the track, therefore loosening Vesrtappen’s once ironclad grip on the mental edge.
The Rebellion Has Started
“What was entertaining about last year was Max Verstappen playing the game, and he was intimidating everybody on track with comments that he was making about every single driver,” Herbert explained in an interview with Casinoutanspelpaus.io.
“But, they all started to rebel, they all started to push back, they all started to stand up to it, and George Russell was one of those that stood up to him.”
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Russell, known for his calculated driving and unflinching demeanor, has been vocal in challenging Verstappen’s dominance, calling out the Red Bull driver in Qatar last year following their antagonistic in the stewards’ office after qualifying.
The Mercedes driver accused the Dutchman of bullying tactics and a pattern of reckless behavior whenever things don’t go his way.
According to Herbert, such defiance is essential in Formula 1.
“I think that is needed in the sport, someone who will stand up to another driver because of the comments that he might have about what happened on the racetrack,” he said.
“That’s what they should do. They should have respect for each other, and sometimes, they show that respect when you stand up and say, ‘No, that’s not the right thing,’ as Russell did to the press.”
Questioning Verstappen’s Grip
Herbert believes this growing resistance is starting to plant seeds of doubt in Verstappen’s mind, a rare occurrence for the supremely confident four-time world champion.
“As much as Verstappen always wants to intimidate everybody, suddenly there’ll be a question mark,” Herbert noted.
“Can another driver intimidate him at this particular corner? This particular lap? At this particular time in the championship?”
Herbert also pointed to Lando Norris as a driver who may benefit from this shift in power dynamics.
Despite lacking the machinery to mount a consistent title challenge against Verstappen last season, Norris has shown a growing willingness to go wheel-to-wheel with the Dutchman.
“It’s almost like there’s question marks that have started to come in his head at the moment,” Herbert said.
“But Verstappen is so confident and so in control of everything that’s going on around him.
“I think Lando Norris is learning how to ask that question and probably sees what everybody else does when standing up to Verstappen.”
A Turning Point in F1’s Power Struggle?
Herbert believes the days of Verstappen’s unchecked intimidation may be numbered, as Verstappen’s rivals grow bolder.
With drivers like Russell and Norris pushing back, the balance of psychological power in Formula 1 is beginning to shift.
Will Verstappen adapt and maintain his dominance, or will Formula 1 enter a new chapter where the Dutchman faces resistance not just from faster cars, but from rivals unwilling to be intimidated? Only time will tell.
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