"Max is unsafe and unsportsmanlike": F1 fans not happy with Max Verstappen's antics in his battle against Sergio Perez

F1 fans criticized Max Verstappen for his aggressive driving against teammate Sergio Perez in the opening lap of the Austrian GP Sprint Race.The Red Bull duo started from the front row at the Red Bull Ring in wet conditions. Perez made a better start, passing the reigning double-world champion into Turn 1. However, the Mexican could not keep control of his car and gave Verstappen the opportunity fight for first place heading into Turn 2 and 3.Perez blocked the Dutchman into Turn 2 but succumbed to Verstappen's relentless pressure in Turn 3, diving down the inside to force Perez wide in the corner.Although the move and sequence of events were deemed fair racing incidents by the race stewards, it did not sit well with fans who took to social media to express their discontent with the reigning World Champion's aggresive tactics. One fan called Max Verstappen unfair, saying:&quot;Max is unsafe and unsportsmanlike&quot;angelo@angelo_6ix@F1 Max is unsafe and unsportsmanlike86310@F1 Max is unsafe and unsportsmanlikeHere are some more reactions from fans:N L@NNL91@F1 The most unsportsmanlike driver in the grid. Doesn't even know the meaning of clean racing.53@F1 The most unsportsmanlike driver in the grid. Doesn't even know the meaning of clean racing.Nuno Lezon@NunoLezon@F1 I mean, Max pushed Perez to the wall right at the start. Cries about touching the grass. Then he dive bombs pushing Checo and others out of track on purpose. He really can't play it fair when someone's racing him wth2876@F1 I mean, Max pushed Perez to the wall right at the start. Cries about touching the grass. Then he dive bombs pushing Checo and others out of track on purpose. He really can't play it fair when someone's racing him wthAnthony Cullen@DriverMarketF1@F1 This is just dirty driving from Verstappen. Classic dive bomb and then run the other driver off the track.1371@F1 This is just dirty driving from Verstappen. Classic dive bomb and then run the other driver off the track.Barry Wilkinson@BazBoi@F1 Max flying into a corner and braking late whilst claiming it’s his all because Perez applied a little pressure. Hardly surprising by the spoilt brat. I pray next year the other teams are closer to Red Bull. Then we’ll really see what kinda racer he really is22@F1 Max flying into a corner and braking late whilst claiming it’s his all because Perez applied a little pressure. Hardly surprising by the spoilt brat. I pray next year the other teams are closer to Red Bull. Then we’ll really see what kinda racer he really isroooland@twoooland@F1 So he got back at checo in the next corner, and at lewis in the next corner. You’d think being in a superior car with a title would make him humble, but no.21@F1 So he got back at checo in the next corner, and at lewis in the next corner. You’d think being in a superior car with a title would make him humble, but no.Max Verstappen on his dominant performance at the Austrian GPAfter winning the Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen stated that it was important for him and the team to stick to their own strategy after the initial VSC which allowed the Ferraris to pit behind him.In his post-race interview, Max Verstappen said:&quot;I think most important for me, of course, was lap one, to stay in front, and after that, we could do our own race. Of course, we opted not to box during the Virtual Safety Car and just to follow our normal strategy. And I think that worked out really well because the tire life was not that high around here. And I think our stints were perfect. So yeah, great day, I enjoyed it a lot.&quot;He added:&quot;I could see already in the few laps before the Virtual Safety Car came out that we were pulling out quite a gap. So I knew that I would get them back eventually. And I think just following our own plan, I think, at the time, was the best way forward.Verstapped summed up his positive feelings on his home race weekend, saying:&quot;I'm just enjoying the moment driving this car, working with the team. I think the whole weekend we have done a really good job. You know, a Sprint weekend is always very, very hectic and a lot of things can go wrong. And luckily, a lot of things went right for us this weekend. So I'm just very happy with this weekend and we'll focus again on Silverstone.It will be interesting to see if Max Verstappen's dominance will continue at Silverstone this coming weekend, and if rivals with their upgraded cars can challenge Red Bull for race wins.

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