Ahead of the season finale, as he reflects on a controversial Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen feels his is treated unfairly by race stewards.

Scheduled to face title rival Lewis Hamilton at the official FIA press conference today - which Sky has deemed to televise live in a rare move - Red Bull organised its own press conference for Max Verstappen in order for the youngster to get certain things off his chest.

Clearly unhappy with the events at Jeddah, and a number of previous races, Verstappen told the media at Yas Marina that he feels he is treated differently, unfairly, in comparison to other drivers.

In particular, looking back at Jeddah, he is miffed that other drivers missed Turn 2, but he appeared to be singled out for the move.

"For me I was not wrong and clearly only I was wrong somehow, because other people do exactly the same thing and get nothing," he said.

"Both of us we were outside of the track, outside of the white line into Turn 1, and yeah, somehow they judged that it was my fault which I don't agree with.

"Also the other penalty as well, I don't agree with,", he added, referring to the infamous brake test, "and then afterwards he pushes me off track, he even looks at me, and just doesn't turn in, and just pushes me outside of the white line, the track edge, and he only gets a warning for that.

"Definitely it is not how it should be and also not fair because it seems other drivers can do different things and only seems like I get a penalty."

Mindful of last week's penalties, and the fact that Michael Masi has already warned drivers to heed the International Sporting Code, when asked if he would approach this weekend differently, Verstappen replied: "The only thing I ask is that it's fair for everyone but clearly that's not the case for the moment.

"Like I said, I don't feel like I was wrong and clearly it is not wrong for others, so why should I then change while for others it's allowed to race like that? I think everyone should be allowed to race like that."

Asked if his attitude towards Hamilton has changed over the course of the season, the youngster was in no doubt. "Yes very much, and not in a positive way," he replied.

Check out our Thursday gallery from Yas Marina, here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 11/12/2021 13:41

"@Redphyve - your opening paragraph brilliantly summarises the crux of the problem.

There's no doubt that Max is a very fast driver, especially in qualifying, and this year he has usually had the faster car. As we have seen over the last few years with Lewis Hamilton, when a driver has these attributes at his disposal AND the maturity & intelligence to exploit them fully, he'll win Championships.

Max may win this season, but it will be in spite of his handelers & his own intransigence."

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2. Posted by Cobra Driver, 10/12/2021 9:42

"As a former race director and steward, the old Harry James chart comes to mind. "I've Heard That Song Before"."

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3. Posted by kenji, 09/12/2021 23:22

"After Silverstone ...I said, that if Hamilton wins the WDC by anything less than 25 points it will be a hollow victory. I still stand by that comment."

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4. Posted by Redphyve, 09/12/2021 20:25

"
Max fan Stitch grasping at any straw, now we're naming and shaming stewards? When you are the ONLY person seeing something, perhaps the possibility exists that only you are "seeing" something?
"

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5. Posted by Redphyve, 09/12/2021 20:21

"
Max.

Look in the mirror, Look at the folk that are supposed to be your role models. Look at the people telling you it's not us, it's them.. A more toxic bunch of people I cannot remember seeing in F1 before. Your sense of entitlement, arrogance and a lack of maturity have put you in a position you are quite uncomfortable with and the pressure is growing. These people feed your insecurities, fuel your sense of injustice, and generally mess with your mind.

The calling out oh LH because he "put you in the hospital" is quite wrong. You didn't like it when to your shock and horror, LH didn't say "All yours Max, you first, " and avoided contact as he had done before...if you had ceded the corner, you would've walked the race. You had the car, the skill and the speed. But you mis-calculated.

You also put yourself in positions where others, stewards, race-directors, drivers and team-managers have a say in the outcome. You cut corners, force people off-track and generally are so aggressive that events spiral out of your control.

Max, your character skills and talent are being undermined by your leadership team. Take control back from Mad Marko and Horner, they are using you to drive a narrative that isn't yours or what you stood for. When you exploded into F1, I became a fan, thinking you were the next great driver, but as the years at Red Bull have passed with nothing to show for it, and especially your behaviour off and on track has turned my admiration into regret, regret at what could've been.

Whatever happens, take the rest of the year to figure out what changes you need to make because...win or lose, you will need to change."

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6. Posted by Hobgoblin, 09/12/2021 19:54

"Typical of the toxic RBR way of thinking - its all everyone else's fault"

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7. Posted by NEEDFORSPEED, 09/12/2021 19:09

"Max Verstappen has received a 10-second penalty for his clash with Formula 1 title rival Lewis Hamilton in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Both cars were able to continue in the race. At the British GP. Lewis takes Max out at 180 miles an hour and put him in to the hospital and he also gets a 10 second penalty. Quite obvious the stewards want Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes to win"

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8. Posted by Stitch431, 09/12/2021 18:24

"Just take a look at the record of Gary Connely versus Max and you see that he is biased. It is outrageous to have a British Lewis fan as a steward in the season's final. The FIA should have called impartial stewards. Now it is very obvious they are doing everything to help Hamilton get the title. Even listening to suggestions of Damon Hill ..."

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9. Posted by Burton, 09/12/2021 17:59

"C'mon Max, even Helmut apologised this time."

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10. Posted by Defiant, 09/12/2021 17:09

"I think he's right in the part of being treated differently, but he's on the benefitting end of that treatment NOT the down side.
Well the old adage goes, attack is the best form of defence, so I'm not surprised he's laying on the poor me act."

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11. Posted by Batman, 09/12/2021 16:37

"We all believe in something, regardless of whether there is or not an obvious demonstration or/nor explication. It's all good. Let the show begin."

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12. Posted by KKK, 09/12/2021 16:26

"This guy is never wrong, is he? Its always someone else's fault. Funny that....if you drive up the inside and put your car in a position that will force the other car to take avoiding action, its not car racing, its called bumper car. Keep going and someone will get hurt, and will it still not be your fault?"

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13. Posted by jcr, 09/12/2021 14:59

"IMO Max is definitely treated differently,
Merc are the F1 Glory Boys and have been for some time
Funny when Michael was winning it was boring !!
Hammi winning is the best thing since 1966
Biased is no a good enough word, but only one available."

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14. Posted by Jet Jockey, 09/12/2021 14:23

"Cry me a river!

Only your over aggressive driving is the cause of your problems."

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Verstappen believes he's treated differently

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