Verstappen: "Different characters make F1 special

While Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have strong opinions on various social issues, Max Verstappen is less concerned. The two world champions take every opportunity on a Formula One weekend to draw attention to certain issues. Verstappen, on the other hand, wants to distract himself as little as possible.

The 24-year-old Dutchman is primarily focused on performance. He tries to distance himself as much as possible from anything not related to performance. Not because he doesn't think they are important issues, but more because he wants to make sure he gets the most out of his RB18 during a Grand Prix weekend.

"Of course, I'm at a different stage of my career. And, of course, when Seb feels really strong about things, he should say that. What he does. That's also great, because you have really different characters in Formula One," he said in an interview with the GP Racing website.

"Because that makes F1 special, I think, also having these different kinds of characters. And you know, if he wants to speak his mind like that, he should do it. I mean, why not?" the Red Bull driver continued.

The current world championship leader emphasizes that this should remain a natural thing. According to Verstappen, it is important not to adopt a forced stance. "I think it should always be from yourself, as you are. You should not be a fake person, trying to be just the ambassador of Formula 1," he explained.

"You should always speak your mind. Of course, you have to be a little careful. But in general, be yourself. And I think you are already naturally a kind of ambassador anyway," the Dutchman concluded.

The topics that are currently getting a lot of attention in Formula 1 from the likes of Hamilton and Vettel (and others) are about diversity, racism, sustainability, and the fight against pollution and climate change.