Max Verstappen’s relationship with the British segment of the Formula 1 community has been marked by tension and disputes, with his father Jos Verstappen now addressing how the British media perceives the reigning champion. This ongoing rivalry has resulted in a contentious depiction of Max Verstappen that his family contests does not reflect his true character. The focus on Max Verstappen British media perception has triggered debates about fairness in how the driver is represented.

Throughout the previous year, Verstappen engaged in several disputes with different parts of the F1 paddock, notably growing frustrated after he was penalized by the FIA for using profanity during an F1 press event. This incident escalated his clashes with British media outlets, which Max has often accused of biased reporting against him.

Verstappen’s ascent within Formula 1 has included numerous incidents that some say have influenced the negative framing of the four-time world champion. In defense of his son, Jos Verstappen spoke with the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, emphasizing that the current portrayal by British media is inaccurate and unfair:

“I think that a lot of people, maybe especially the British, have a wrong image of him. That he’s an a**hole, or something. Perhaps that’s also due to the present time with social media. But I absolutely do not recognize that.”

—Jos Verstappen, Father of Max Verstappen

Despite the criticism, Max Verstappen continues to perform strongly in the 2025 season, having secured two victories even as Red Bull lies fourth in the constructors‘ standings.

How Jos Verstappen’s Guidance Helped Max Master Track Conditions Quickly

One of Max Verstappen’s notable strengths is his exceptional ability to rapidly adapt to new racetrack conditions, extracting maximum performance from his car early in the race weekend. This talent allows him to efficiently fine-tune his vehicle settings and approach race day fully prepared.

Verstappen attributes this skill largely to the advice and training he received from his father during his karting days. In a conversation with Chris Harris on Ford Performance’s video, Max explained how Jos instilled the importance of immediate focus on every track:

“Normally, the goal is to get it within five laps. That’s what my dad always taught me when I was a kid in a kart. He said that you need to immediately be at the limit, have good lap times, because sometimes you can hit the track and just drive to see what happens, but my father always said, ‘No, we’re going on the track and we have to be on top immediately.'”

—Max Verstappen, F1 Driver

This approach has shaped Max’s competitive mindset, allowing him to become the only repeat race winner in the 2025 Formula 1 season so far, apart from McLaren’s drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

Implications of Media Narratives on Verstappen’s Reputation and F1 Landscape

The friction between Max Verstappen and British media highlights a broader challenge within Formula 1 regarding how drivers are portrayed and perceived. Jos Verstappen’s statements illustrate the personal impact media framing can have on athletes’ reputations, especially when social media amplifies negative narratives.

As Max Verstappen continues to clinch victories despite Red Bull’s mid-pack constructor position, his resilience and racing skill remain evident. How the British media’s perception evolves and how Verstappen manages these external pressures could shape the tone of ongoing rivalries within the sport. Watching his journey through the remainder of the season will provide insight into whether this narrative shifts and how the defending champion asserts his image on and off the track.