In 2024, renowned design engineer Adrian Newey criticized the British media for their biased portrayal of Max Verstappen, highlighting how the driver has been unfairly demonized due to his assertive racing style. Newey, who has worked closely with both Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull, expressed concerns over the misrepresentation of their skills and characters in the media.

Adrian Newey Highlights Unfair Treatment of Verstappen and Vettel by Media

Throughout his four decades in Formula 1, Adrian Newey has been instrumental in creating championship-winning cars for both Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, contributing to four world titles each for the drivers. Despite their achievements, Newey pointed out that both champions have faced misjudgment and negative treatment, especially from British media outlets.

Speaking on the High Performance Podcast in September 2024, Newey emphasized that the general public’s perception of Verstappen and Vettel has been skewed by biased coverage. He suggested that both drivers endured an unfair level of demonization, which did not reflect their true personalities or talents.

“From the outside, I’m not sure people fully appreciate and understand Max, just like they didn’t with Sebastian. There’s this sort of demonization both of them suffered at times, which is very unfair,” Newey said.

“And maybe that’s also a little bit of the British media, if I’m honest. Sky [Sports] has a huge influence around the world. Although viewing isn’t truly international, their coverage is quite nationalistic, dare I say, and that can have an influence. It’s this thing that now with journalism, typically. There is that trend to sort of either put people on a pedestal or knock them down,” he added.

Newey Praises Verstappen’s Driving Intelligence and Skill

Newey further praised Verstappen’s remarkable abilities behind the wheel, describing him as an exceptionally smart driver with a rare combination of instinct and analytical thinking. He highlighted how Verstappen manages the complexities of driving while simultaneously calculating strategies on the fly.

“I think that he’s very intelligent, and he’s got an incredible ability to… It feels as if he can drive the car automatically. He doesn’t, of course, but he can drive the car and has so much processing power left over that he can then think a lot about how he’s driving the car, how he’s looking after the tires, and what he might need to do with the settings.”

This insight from Newey sheds light on why Verstappen’s aggressive style is sometimes misunderstood, as his calculated approach involves balancing speed and tire preservation to maximize performance during races.

Verstappen Responds to British Media’s Persistent Questions at Canadian Grand Prix

In 2025, Max Verstappen incurred a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix, along with three penalty points added to his record. With 11 points accumulated over 12 months, Verstappen faces the risk of a race ban if he collects another point soon. This pressure has increased scrutiny from the media, particularly during the Canadian Grand Prix on June 15.

Verstappen expressed frustration at repeated questions concerning the possibility of a race ban, labeling the inquiries as pointless and immature, which reflected his irritation with the media’s focus on penalties rather than his driving capabilities.

“A waste of time. It’s just childish. Like I said, it’s a waste of time. I really don’t have anything to do with that at all. They probably don’t have anything better to ask, I don’t know,” Verstappen told Racingnews365.

With the penalty points set to be reviewed only after the Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen must remain cautious during the upcoming races to avoid further sanctions that could jeopardize his season.

Implications of Media Coverage on Verstappen’s Career and Public Image

Adrian Newey’s remarks underline an ongoing tension between Verstappen’s on-track performance and how he is perceived off it, especially by British media. The negative portrayal has fueled debates surrounding Verstappen’s temperament and racing style, often overshadowing his exceptional talent and strategic mind. This media narrative not only affects Verstappen’s reputation but could also influence fan opinion and sponsor relations.

As Verstappen continues to compete under intense scrutiny, his response to criticism and Newey’s defense may shape how future coverage evolves. The upcoming races, especially with the looming threat of race bans, will be critical in demonstrating his resilience and focus despite external pressures.