MAX VERSTAPPEN HANDED 'SELFISH' EDGE IN SHOCKING F1 DRIVER VERDICT

Is this what separates the Red Bull driver from his peers on the F1 grid?

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Max Verstappen's 'selfish' streak has been labelled as a key differentiator between the four-time F1 champion and his rivals.

Verstappen has become renowned over the years for his ruthlessness on track, earning him his four drivers' titles, 71 grands prix victories, and 48 pole positions.

It has led to criticism of the Red Bull driver at times and proven detrimental, as was the case last year when he deliberately turned into the Mercedes of George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix.

The incident earned Verstappen a time penalty, relegating him from fifth at the chequered flag to 10th on the classification, with the lost points playing a role in the 28-year-old Dutchman missing out on a fifth consecutive crown.

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya can relate to Verstappen's attitude on track, and to the way he conducts himself off it, in not wanting to get too friendly with his rivals.

"I would wake up and figure out how I could beat the hell out of everybody," said the seven-time grand prix winner on the Chequered Flag podcast with Damon Hill. "You've got to be selfish.

"You know, for me, it's shocking. You look at them [the F1 drivers], they all go play padel together, and they're really good friends and go for dinner together."

"But that's why Max is good, because he doesn't play along."

Suggested to Montoya that Verstappen and Bortoleto have developed a good friendship over time, notably sim racing together, Montoya replied: "But if Bortoleto was competitive, in a competitive car, the friendship would still be there?

"So you're going to tell me when Max cuts [gets cut up by Bortoleto], he's going to go, 'I'm not going to dive bomb and put you in the wall like I do everybody else'. Come on!"

- Ian Parkes

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MAX VERSTAPPEN MAKES SHOCK REQUEST AFTER RED BULL HORROR SHOW

Max Verstappen has made a request not many would expect given one of the reigning world champion's greatest strengths.

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Max Verstappen has requested that rain does not fall during the Hungarian Grand Prix, with the Dutchman hoping for a dry race at the Hungaroring. 

Red Bull has endured a disastrous weekend in Hungary, to the extent that Verstappen had to settle for eighth on the grid. 

Yuki Tsunoda suffered a fourth Q1 exit in the last eight races, although was only 0.163s slower than his team-mate in the first part of qualifying. 

Both Red Bull drivers have encountered major grip issues, resulting in a dramatic loss of performance. 

Discussing Red Bull's grip issues, Verstappen told select media, including RacingNews365: "It's not running all weekend, so in that area [I feel] the same.

"Sometimes you think the balance is actually not very bad yet, in terms of a lot of understeer or oversteer. 

"But you just have zero grip, you can't attack corners and can't get on the gas. Nothing actually..."

Following qualifying, Verstappen was very vocal over the difficulties with the RB21, similar to how he reacted to qualifying in seventh last season at the Italian Grand Prix.

Asked if qualifying felt as bad as Monza last year, Verstappen stated: "In my opinion it was. It wasn't long ago... Monza was also really bad. 

"I also have little confidence that things will improve a lot during the race. I just don't have any grip, so then you're just sliding. I also have more tyre wear, so that doesn't really help either."

Interestingly, the weather looks set for a significant change ahead of the race, with heavy rain forecast. 

This has usually been a blessing for the four-time world champion; however, he is hopeful the showers stay away from the circuit.

"I never expected it to be our best weekend, but this was too tough. With the feeling I have in the car now, I'm also definitely hoping it doesn't rain."

- Aaron Deckers & Nick Golding