The Dutchman was up to the challenge as he secured victory at the US Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen welcomed a hostile reception from fans at the Circuit of the Americas after winning the US Grand Prix. The Dutchman secured his 50th F1 race by holding off a late charge from Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in a thrilling strategic battle in Austin.
Verstappen, whose dominance of the rest of the field ended the drivers’ title at the previous Qatar race, was praised when he gave a Parc fermé interview with 2009 champion Jenson Button as he entered the awards ceremony and accepted his trophy.
“suits me”
Speculation on social media suggested some of the praise was directed at Texas governor Greg Abbott, although Verstappen’s tenacity on his journey from car to podium suggested the vitriol was directed at him.
Hamilton, on the other hand, was booed all weekend and the 2021 race has created a partisan atmosphere between the two at several races since this season, with both drivers targeted. Another factor for Verstappen at COTA was the large presence of Mexican fans who turned out to support teammate Sergio Perez, who has had a strained relationship at times over the past two seasons. Asked by Viaplay NL if the upset bothers him, Verstappen said with a laugh: “No, no. In the end I’m the one who takes home the silverware, so it’s okay!”
F1 moves to the Mexican GP next weekend and a similar situation could arise. As he awaited a more hostile reception at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Verstappen insisted: “Then I’ll still be the one to take home the silverware.”
