Max Verstappen insists he will not change his driving style despite rule clarification.

Though today's clarification of how drivers may defend their position under braking have come about largely due to some of his own more questionable moves, Max Verstappen insists he will not change his driving style.

In the wake of numerous incidents in recent races, the latest coming two weeks ago at Suzuka, drivers have made clear their unease at Max Verstappen's tactic of changing direction under braking in an attempt to defend his position.

After a number of drivers expressed their concern at the tactic at Friday evening’s briefing, today Charlie Whiting issued a directive making clear that "any change of direction under braking which results in another driver having to take evasive action will be considered abnormal and hence potentially dangerous to other drivers" will be reported to the race stewards and could result in a time penalty or even disqualification.

However, following today's qualifying session, in which he finished fourth, when asked if the ruling will cause him to change his driving style, the Dutch youngster was adamant. "No, I don't think so," he told reporters.

"I think it's good that they make it more clear to everyone what is allowed and what's not," he continued. "Let's see how it's going to turn out. I think it's a positive thing that they put a rule on it... maybe they can get past now.

"If so many people are complaining it's not a surprise, let's put it like that," he shrugged. "To be honest I haven't really thought about it yet, what I should do or what I would do. I'm just going to race and then we'll see how it's going to be with overtaking and how people are defending.

"If that's the right approach I don't know, but at the end of the day it's the same for everyone so we'll have to deal with it. I think it makes Formula One a lot more interesting, instead of just getting by with DRS or driving by in an easy overtake. But that's not up to me. Probably it will lead to more passes. If it's positive passing I don't know, that's what we'll have to ask the fans at one point."

"In the ten years that I have been in Formula One, there's been the same rule that all us drivers understand and it is only newcomers who have come in and potentially not abided by that," said Lewis Hamilton in response to the clarification. "It is about the respect that we have for one another. We're travelling at serious speeds. You commit to your defence but you don't do it while braking. I think it's great that Charlie has understood the majority of drivers' opinions.

"The rules have to be very strict and clear because if they say you are allowed to move under braking, everyone would do it and we will all start a new way of driving which is dangerous," he concluded.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by FormerF1Fan, 31/10/2016 5:08

""and it is only newcomers who have come in and potentially not abided by that"

Oh yes Mr. Hamilton. How many rule changes did you cause?"

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2. Posted by Roland, 23/10/2016 17:56

"So, it’s obvious only the fastest cars must win? The F1 sport is raped by regulations and the big automobile brands manipulate the FIA, a scandal; Ayrton Senna will turn in his grave. The art and bravery of racing has become a set of rules, F1 has always been my favorite Racing event for more than 50 years, bah, a bad taste is left behind after that statement from Mr. Whiting. Puppets of Mercedes and Ferrari and crybabies like Hamilton and Raikkonen should be ashamed of themselves. The bottom line; Max Verstappen has more balls and talent in his teenage years than the whole circus together. A new Senna or maybe better is born, time will tell, the fans and public love his style a teen with the heart of a lion; refreshing because F1 has become boring! Big Kudos Max from an old boy that spend some time on the racing grounds. "

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3. Posted by Burton, 23/10/2016 12:50

"While Max is probably bringing up the DRS/easy overtake as a deflection tactic, his point still stands, DRS already makes for distorted racing. That said, moving under braking is amateurish stuff and should have no place in F1.

But they're changing things mid-season again, and "moving under braking" moves have already interfered in races/points awarded in the championship so can't say I agree with the decision to change now. Or maybe they'll just have the Spa stewards everywhere and they won't enforce anything."

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4. Posted by Cobra Driver, 23/10/2016 10:57

"So they are down to strictly regulating passing. Of course, when looking back at the 2016 season, it hardly matters. I now use F1 races in place of Ambien.
"

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5. Posted by Jerome, 23/10/2016 10:51

"Formula 1 racing is dangerous enough by driving over 300 km/h on a twisting circuit. Let us for a moment take for granted that complaining drivers are trustworthy in their concern about moving under braking. And let us be willing to understand their wish for clear rules and regulations that are NOT as multi interpretable as they are now. But... let us not forget they underlying and hidden emotional motivation, mostly even unknown by the complaining drivers themselves, that brings about these complains. Every racing driver on the track dreams of becoming a world champion on day. Even drivers that have been champions dream of repeating their former success and glory. And then, suddenly, out of nowhere there is Max Verstappen. Can anyone
imagine what damage this does to the ambition of the likes of Hulkenberg, Grosjean, Perez and Bottas?
Can anyone feel the frustration of former champions like Vettel and Raikkönnen, driving around in demoted Ferraris? Can anyone deny that these underlying sentiments play a role in expressing frustration?"

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6. Posted by auto56489, 23/10/2016 10:43

"+1"

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7. Posted by Stitch431, 23/10/2016 7:50

"So after a whining protest of the "top drivers" who cannot get past young Max on track, the rule is now to let them pass without defending. I'm sorry but this is not racing anymore. If they are that good, they will find a way past him on track and not so cowardly behind the green table. Again, spectacular racing is being banned..."

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Verstappen unperturbed by braking rule warning

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