Sainz Slams Aggressive Verstappen Move at Grand Prix Miami

Carlos Sainz was unhappy with Max Verstappen's aggressive racing style during the Grand Prix Miami.

Sainz believed that overtaking Verstappen on the first lap of the Grand Prix 'was on the limit' following a burst of emotion during the race through team radio.

Max Verstappen from Red Bull was trying to recover from a spin at Turn 2 on the opening lap when he passed Carlos Sainz from the inside at Turn 17.

This aggressive move left Sainz frustrated, and he conveyed his feelings through team radio: 'He pushed me off the track. He thinks he can do whatever he wants just because he's racing in the midfield.'

Verstappen later finished fifth, while Sainz led teammate Alex Albon to double points for Williams.

Sainz continued to criticize Verstappen's aggressive racing style and other drivers in Miami on Sunday after the Grand Prix.

'Verstappen made a crazy move at Turn 17, almost sending me off the track.'

'From there, Alex and the other Haas driver [moved up]. So my good start ended up in the bin in one lap.

'But then I stayed calm. People are racing very hard today; I don't know why they wake up wanting to crash a lot of people out there.'

Regarding Verstappen, Sainz felt that the overtaking move 'was almost over the limit' and that the Dutch driver made a move based on the fact that midfield drivers wouldn't put up a fight.

'[He] didn't mean to disrespect, but what he did at Turn 17 was like a launch, knowing we're in the midfield, we won't fight back, and we'll let him go at some point.'

'But what he did was over the limit. Maybe it's a bit of frustration because of the spin and trying to get back up front as quickly as possible. But this is racing, I won't criticize him too much.'

'It just felt like we were going to collide, and he took me off the track, and I lost three positions. So, it was a bit frustrating.'

Verstappen faced several investigations from stewards during the Grand Prix and was given a five-second penalty after the race for crossing the white line at the pit exit.

However, this did not affect the outcome, as he finished fifth.