Max Verstappen Defended Against 'Arrogant' Label by Former Red Bull Colleague
Antonio Felix da Costa argues that Max Verstappen is misunderstood and far from arrogant. The Red Bull driver, known for his outspoken nature, is praised for his honesty and respect.
Antonio Felix da Costa, a former Red Bull junior driver, has stepped up to defend Max Verstappen against accusations of arrogance. Da Costa, who has known Verstappen since their days in the Red Bull Driver Academy, insists that the Dutch driver is simply honest, not arrogant. The two have maintained a close friendship even after Da Costa left Red Bull in 2015 and Verstappen catapulted to F1 stardom.
Da Costa was once seen as a promising talent within Red Bull's ranks, but the team opted to promote a then-teenaged Verstappen instead. Since joining Toro Rosso and eventually Red Bull, Verstappen has secured four world championships, amassing an impressive 71 Grand Prix victories and 48 poles.
Despite these achievements, Verstappen's straightforward manner, especially when voicing frustrations with Red Bull or the broader Formula 1 regulations, has led some to label him as arrogant. Notably, Verstappen's disdain for the 2026 engine regulations, which increased the role of the battery, has been well-publicized. His vocal criticism has been a significant factor in planned changes for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
Da Costa, however, sees Verstappen's honesty as a virtue. "Max is special in a good way," he told GPblog. "He’s impressive not just for his achievements but for remaining grounded. He respects others as if he hadn’t won those four titles."
Verstappen's reputation for being hard to please, particularly if he's not winning, has been evident this season. His threats to retire unless the engine regulations change have irked some fans. Currently, Verstappen sits sixth in the drivers' standings with 109 points, allowing him a contractual window to leave Red Bull if he chooses.
As the summer break begins, Verstappen's future with Red Bull remains uncertain, with the driver yet to commit beyond his current contract, which runs until 2028. The next few months will be crucial in determining whether Verstappen will remain with his long-time team or seek new challenges elsewhere.