SAO PAULO : Formula One leader Max Verstappen hit back at critics of his driving on Thursday, saying he was a triple world champion who knew what he was doing.Red Bull's Verstappen was twice penalised for forcing his McLaren title rival Lando Norris wide and going off and gaining an advantage when they clashed in last weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix.Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion, told a Sky Sports podcast that Verstappen had used his car as a weapon and accused him of "Dick Dastardly stuff" - a reference to the 1960s 'Wacky Races' cartoon villain.Asked directly at Brazil's Interlagos circuit about Hill saying he was not sure Verstappen was capable of racing fairly, the reigning champion bristled. "I don't listen to those individuals, I just do my thing," he said. "I'm a three-time world champion.
I think I know what I'm doing."Asked if he felt unfairly targeted, Verstappen replied: "Honestly, I have my opinions. I don't need to share them."The 27-year-old, who has not won for 10 races after dominating last season, said he listened to those who were objective and close to him and "not just there to stir"."Some people are just being very annoying," he added. "And I know who these people are.
I don't really pay a lot of attention to them anyway."I think I've got to this stage in my career with the right people supporting me and making my own decisions.
So I think I know what I'm doing."Some people are just a bit biased ... I get it, it's fine. But it's not my problem at the end of the day.