'Verstappen did have to race so aggressively to win world title'

Gerhard Berger believes that Max Verstappen did have to drive aggressively in 2021 to compete for the world title. The former Formula 1 driver tells this in conversation with Motorsport.com.

Verstappen is the reigning world champion after he clinched the title in the ultimate closing stages of the 2021 Formula One season. Much has been said and written about the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but also about Verstappen's driving style. Martin Brundle, for example, regrets that Verstappen drives so aggressively and plays tricks like Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna did in the past.

Brundle particularly pointed to the alleged 'brake test' in Saudi Arabia which caused Lewis Hamilton to get on top of Verstappen. Earlier in the season, however, there was also a lot of criticism of the Dutchman, when he came very aggressively to the inside of Hamilton in the first few races. According to Berger, however, the Dutchman could not do otherwise.

The Austrian argues with the medium that Lewis' car was better and Verstappen therefore had to be so aggressive. ''If he had not been so aggressive, he would not have had a chance to win the championship in the end,'' states the former driver of Ferrari and McLaren, among others, who thinks that with a better car Max will also race less aggressively.