Valentino Rosso: "F1 crazy to slow Verstappen down"

Valentino Rossi says F1 is "crazy" to try to reign in Max Verstappen. The flamboyant MotoGP rider admits he is a fan of the 20-year-old Red Bull driver. "Verstappen is the new star of formula one," he told Italian radio station Radio Deejay. "He is doing really well but they are trying to slow him down, which is crazy," Rossi insisted.

"If I had a say in how formula one is run, I would want 12 Verstappens on the grid," he declared. "Max is an extraordinary driver. He's young, he makes fun of the system and he overtakes, which are qualities that the public loves."


"Verstappen is like (Johann) Zarco," Rossi said, comparing the Red Bull driver to an exciting MotoGP newcomer. "Neither of them ever slows down, so you have to make room otherwise there's a danger you will both fall." (GMM)

True, but Renault is pretty much slowing everyone of their customers down, so its equal "services".

  • 1
  • Dec 8 2017 - 22:04

Replies (5)

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  • ENDR

    Posts: 43

    ... how exatly are "THEY" trying to slow him down?

    • + 0
    • Dec 8 2017 - 17:32
    • Yes, his comments made me a bit confused aswell. I havent really seen him being reigned in or controlled this year.

      • + 0
      • Dec 8 2017 - 20:03
    • Klapband

      Posts: 366

      Renault.

      • + 0
      • Dec 8 2017 - 21:21
    • True, but Renault is pretty much slowing everyone of their customers down, so its equal "services".

      • + 1
      • Dec 8 2017 - 22:04
    • Pauli

      Posts: 140

      I think there has been two penalties given to Max from offences. But some other drivers managed to get away without any penalty from very similar or even slightly worse offences. Renault's missing performance (specially the qualification mode) and reliability has had much bigger impact.

      • + 0
      • Dec 9 2017 - 13:20

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Driver profile

  • Country Netherlands
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (28)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), Netherlands
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
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