(CNN) Max Verstappen He put in an impressive performance on the track to win for the second time in a row Miami Grand Prix On Sunday the 25-year-old ignored boos from some people in the crowd.
the Red Bull The driver battled his way back from ninth on the grid to win his third race of the season, extending his lead in the drivers’ championship to 14 points.
Despite his winning statement, which only served to underscore his current superiority, Verstappen was jeered before and after the race by a small group of supporters at the track.
“I think if I’m going to lead in the back, no one will do anything in terms of reaction,” said Verstappen. correspondents after the race.
“I think it’s normal when you win and they don’t like who wins.”
This isn’t the first time Verstappen has received such a negative reaction from the public.
He was also booed at the British Grand Prix in 2022, the season after his controversial win Lewis Hamilton to the world title.
“This is something for me and it’s very good as long as I’m on top, that’s what’s most important to me,” Verstappen added.
“I take the cup home and they go home and they can have a nice evening.”
After starting in the field, Verstappen ruthlessly picked off every driver in front of him before eventually overtaking teammate Sergio Pérez to take the lead.
Once in front, there was simply nothing to catch on.
“Max was especially strong today. So it was a deserved win for him,” Perez, who started on pole but finished second, told reporters.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, 41, finished a distant third to secure his fourth podium of the season, but Red Bull was good again.
“It was a good race,” added Verstappen, who started ninth on the grid after Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc crashed on Saturday that denied the Dutchman a quick qualifying lap.
“I stayed out of trouble at the start and then had a clean race, you know, picking cars off one at a time.”
Verstappen and Red Bull will look to continue their fine form at the next race in Imola, Italy, on May 21.
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