Jos Verstappen: "Max's critics have to remember he's here to race"

The Red Bull driver has found himself on the receiving end of criticism from rivals, who have got annoyed at his aggressive defending and overtaking manoeuvres.

But despite his actions prompting rule changes, Verstappen's father Jos insists that the complaints will not prompt any change, and says that his only focus is on doing everything he can to succeed with Red Bull.

"We are not here for somebody else," said Verstappen. "We are here for ourselves, we are driving for Red Bull, and we want to have the best possible result for them. Whatever people think and if they are pissed off – they have to remember he is here to race.

"It was the same with Seb [Vettel in Brazil]. I think it was a good move. He tried to overtake Seb at Turn 4 it didn't work out. Seb pushed him a little bit wide and Max did the same, and that is what people want to see.

"Sometimes it works out for Max, sometimes it works out for Seb. This is what we want to see."

Verstappen's no-compromise approach to racing prompted controversy ahead of the Brazilian GP when it emerged that Mercedes boss Toto Wolff had phoned his father to discuss the Red Bull youngster's approach to racing.

In the conversation, Wolff said he would not want Verstappen to be remembered this season for having decided the outcome of the title battle through a crash with either Nico Rosberg or Lewis Hamilton.

But Jos Verstappen said that his son would never do anything that risked causing a crash.

"We are not there to influence anything," he said. "We're just here to do our own race and what you saw in Brazil, we are not here to take anybody out.

"We are racing for Red Bull and they have done an incredible job with Max. He loves it here, and he enjoys the racing."