Damon Hill calls out Max Verstappen after Miami Grand Prix criticism – Following the Miami Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was criticised by 1996 Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill for complaining about aggressive defending from Alexander Albon during the race.
The Miami weekend marked one of Verstappen’s more competitive performances of the 2026 Formula 1 season so far. The Red Bull Racing driver crossed the line in fifth place, his strongest grand prix result of the campaign amid the team’s ongoing struggle to adapt to Formula 1’s new regulations.
However, despite this encouraging result, Verstappen voiced his frustration at Albon’s defensive driving during their on-track battle. Hill subsequently argued that the Dutchman was in no position to criticise another driver for employing aggressive racecraft.
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Hill also said that Verstappen uses the same tactics himself
Speaking after the race, Hill suggested that Verstappen’s own driving history makes it difficult for him to complain when rivals defend themselves robustly.
“I have to say that Max can’t really complain about others doing that kind of thing to him. He does it himself quite often to everyone.”
Hill’s comments, reported by NextGen-Auto, referenced Verstappen’s aggressive overtaking approach throughout the Miami weekend, particularly his move on Lewis Hamilton during the sprint race.
The former world champion acknowledged that Verstappen’s style is often highly effective, but argued that the Red Bull driver consistently pushes the limits in wheel-to-wheel combat.
“He squeezed Lewis Hamilton during the Sprint. You could say it was a good overtaking attempt from Max. I mean, he managed to squeeze in on the inside, and it was almost as if everyone else was going too slowly.”
Hill also explained that Verstappen reacted instantly to an opportunity created by traffic compressing ahead, allowing him to launch a trademark late-braking move.
Verstappen’s aggressive style remains a talking point
Verstappen’s racing style has long been a source of debate within Formula 1. Supporters view his uncompromising style as one of the key reasons behind his success and four world championships, while critics believe he regularly crosses the line with overly aggressive manoeuvres.
Hill believes that the Miami Sprint move against Hamilton was a perfect reflection of Verstappen’s usual approach.
“They were bunching up a bit, and it was as if Lewis had eased off the throttle. Max simply seized the opportunity.”
“And, as is his wont, in his inimitable style, he braked very late and used the full width of the track.”
The debate surrounding Verstappen’s driving standards has intensified again in 2026, with Red Bull attempting to catch up with its rivals under the sport’s revised technical regulations.
Although Verstappen secured fifth place in Miami, Red Bull still appears to lack the outright pace needed to consistently compete at the front of the pack. The team has had a challenging start to the season after its initial development direction failed to deliver the expected results.
Why the Canadian Grand Prix could be important for Red Bull
Attention now turns to the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix on 24 May, where Verstappen and Red Bull will hope to build on their performance in Miami.
The Canadian circuit has traditionally suited Verstappen’s aggressive braking style and Red Bull’s strengths under previous regulations. However, the competitive order in 2026 remains far less predictable than in recent years.
While Miami offered some encouragement that Red Bull may finally be moving in the right direction after a challenging start to the campaign, questions remain over whether the team can consistently compete with the leading constructors throughout a race weekend.
Hill’s criticism also highlights how Verstappen’s reputation continues to influence how his on-track complaints are perceived. While the Dutchman remains one of Formula 1’s most formidable racers, incidents involving aggressive defending or overtaking are increasingly being viewed in the context of his driving style.
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Thiago Treze is a Brazilian motorsport writer at TJ13 with a background in sports journalism and broadcast media, alongside an academic foundation in engineering with a focus on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This combination of technical knowledge and editorial experience allows Thiago to approach Formula 1 from both a performance and narrative perspective.
At TJ13, Treze covers driver performance, career developments, and key storylines across the Formula 1 grid, while also analysing the technical factors that influence competitiveness. This includes aerodynamic development trends, simulation-driven design approaches, and the engineering decisions that shape race weekend outcomes.
His reporting bridges the gap between human performance and machine development, helping readers understand how driver execution and technical innovation interact in modern Formula 1. Coverage often connects on-track events with the underlying engineering philosophies that define each team’s approach.
With a global perspective shaped by both journalism and technical study, Thiago also focuses on Formula 1’s international reach and the different ways the sport is experienced across regions.
Treze has a particular interest in how Computational Fluid Dynamics and aerodynamic modelling contribute to car performance, offering accessible explanations of complex technical concepts within Formula 1.
