Martin Brundle said Max Verstappen's race-winning performance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix reminded him of Michael Schumacher as he expressed his disappointment of those who booed him after the race.
Verstappen was comfortable on the way to his 15th and final victory of an extraordinary season. But there was a sour moment after he got our of his car, as he was booed by some spectators in the grandstands as he took the microphone for his post-race interview.
It is far from the first time this season the Red Bull star has been given a hostile reception. One of the most recent examples was at the beginning of the United States Grand Prix weekend, when he was targeted by a small number of attendees at a fan event in Austin.
And it happened again in Abu Dhabi – the scene of perhaps his most infamous moment in F1 as he snatched the 2021 title away from Lewis Hamilton in controversial circumstances. "I was very sad to hear some boos for Max at the end," wrote Brundle in reference to this latest example of fan hostility.
"We have experienced that before for the likes of [Michael] Schumacher, [Sebastian] Vettel, Nico Rosberg and others over the decades for various reasons when fans get a strong feeling about something which has or indeed hasn't happened.
"Red Bull and Team Verstappen could perhaps have played smarter hands in Mexico and Brazil and over the cost cap, but nothing can take away from their utterly dominant performance this season."
In the same column, Brundle referenced a comment he made about Verstappen while commentating on the race. With the Dutchman several seconds ahead while those behind him scrapped for second place, the broadcaster was reminded of one of F1's greatest ever racers.
He added: "In commentary, I described Max Verstappen's drive as 'Michael Schumacher-esque' because it seemed however slow he was driving his car to preserve tyres, he was still pulling away from the field. It was a season dominated by Verstappen and Red Bull. Points-wise, Max finished the equivalent of well over five GP victories ahead of Leclerc in second place, and Red Bull well over four victories ahead of Ferrari.
"A tale of numerous pole positions and victories along with clever strategies, fast pit-stops and strong reliability. Congratulations to them all at the track and in the factories, it was immense. Max in particular is at a level which will take some serious beating in the next few seasons."
