Max Verstappen’s high-speed clash with Romain Grosjean in the Monaco Grand Prix two weeks ago was placed in renewed focus today in Montreal, as Felipe Massa reiterated criticism of Verstappen’s driving.
As a result of his part in this collision Verstappen will serve a five-place grid penalty in this weekend’s Canadian GP.
Today in advance of the Canadian race Massa stood by criticism that he had made of the young Dutchman: “I think the FIA needs to be strong in a proper way which is what they did actually,” said Massa. “That’s the only thing I said and I don’t change my mind. That’s what I believe.
“Especially when you’re in your first year, 17-years-old and if you do something like that and you’re not penalised, it’s completely wrong.”
Verstappen insisted in response however that he felt he had little to be reproached for, and that he will not change his style as a result of the incident.
“I’m focusing on Canada right now,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any reason to look back at Monaco. I will not change my driving style.”
“I didn’t brake any later [before the collision]. I have braked later in the race before that but on the lap I crashed, it was exactly the same lap as the lap before and I got my penalty.”
He added pointedly too: “Maybe you [Massa] should review the race from last year and see what happened there,” – a reference to Massa getting involved in a similar incident at Montreal last season with Sergio Perez.
Massa argued however that incident was not a parallel: “I think it was a little bit different, no? I was on the side and he moved the car on braking so… I don’t think Grosjean moved the car on braking, no?”
Grosjean himself added later that he was disappointed with Verstappen’s attitude to the clash displayed since.
“I’ve been doing mistakes, quite a lot of them, but I’ve learned from them. I think the only key is to admit and to apologise to the people you’ve crashed into.”
Grosjean confirmed that Verstappen had not apologised to him for the crash, and that he found this disappointing: “It was [disappointing]…he could say ‘I’m sorry'”.
“Max is really really talented…but he’s made a mistake, I just find it a bit disappointing that he doesn’t learn from it. Even this morning in the press conference it was the same thing, [he said] ‘I’m going to drive the same way’.”
