Max Verstappen fires back at critics as he tells them to look at his trophy cabinet and DENIES claims Red Bull have told him to stop staying up late playing video games

Max Verstappen fired back at critics who blamed his poor performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix on playing computer games into the early hours, saying those doubters should take a look at his trophy cabinet.

The Dutchman’s professionalism was questioned by former world champion Nico Rosberg in the wake of his fifth place finish in Budapest last weekend, a result that extended his winless run to three races.

The Red Bull driver had been competing in sim racing – an online, virtual racing game – until 3am last Sunday, behaviour Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko said on Wednesday that Verstappen had agreed to stop in the future.

But the 26-year-old strongly refuted that claim yesterday, telling his detractors no one can tell him what to do in his spare time.

‘We talked about it and I said you don’t need to worry,’ said Verstappen, who has seen his lead at the top of the championship over Lando Norris cut to 76 points.

The Dutchman’s professionalism was questioned by former world champion Nico Rosberg (pictured)

The three-time Formula One world champion pointed his doubters to his glittering trophy cabinet

‘It is not that I have had a ban. I don’t need to tell them what to do in their private time at the weekend and that is the same for me.’

He added: ‘These kinds of things come up when you don’t win a race. You can always argue what it was. Was it what you ate the night before or did you go to the toilet before the race or maybe your warm-up wasn’t right.

‘I don’t believe in that. I’m a three-time world champion, I think I know quite well what I can do and can’t do.’

Verstappen was in a combative mood ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, the final race before the sport shuts down for a four-week summer break.

He also hit back at those who accused him of lacking respect following a series of foul-mouthed messages over the team radio in Hungary.

‘People that don’t like my language, then don’t listen in. Turn the volume down,’ said Verstappen, who is set to be slapped with a 10-place grid penalty in Spa for changing his engine too many times this season.

‘I’m very driven to succeed. I’ve proven that already and I always want to optimise (performance).

Verstappen (right) had been ordered by Red Bull bosses to stop staying up late playing video games (Helmut Marko, left)

But Verstappen, in a combative mood, stated that no one can tell him what to do in his free time 

‘People can argue that you might not be so vocal on the radio but that is their opinion. My opinion is that it needs to be said at the time.

‘It is important that we can be critical. In this world, people cannot take criticism like it used to be and I don’t want to end up like that.’

Lewis Hamilton also weighed in on the debate surrounding Verstappen’s conduct and appeared to question whether his conduct was befitting of a world champion.

When asked what that behaviour looked like, Hamilton replied: ‘Not like it was last weekend.’