'I drive the F1 safety car - this is what Max Verstappen is really like to deal with'

Formula One safety car driver Bernd Maylander has revealed that Max Verstappen is 'open' and pleasant to talk to when the Red Bull racer approaches him for clarification on certain issues. The Dutchman has an intriguing reputation among F1 circles, with some fans taking issue with his direct communication style and emotional approach to conflict in the cockpit.

However, a number of team members and rival drivers are quick to praise Verstappen for his personality and approach to working within the paddock. Among this cohort is Maylander, who has been driving the safety car in F1 since 2000. The 54-year-old previously enjoyed a career in DTM and FIA GT, and he even made an appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1999, finishing second in the GT class with Champion Racing.

"I have contact with everyone at some point, but with regards to the safety car, Max is one of the drivers who occasionally asks why something went the way it went, whether it can be different next time, et cetera," Maylander told Formula1.NL.

"He is open, I can talk to him well about it. I like that. That applies to more drivers. Don't forget that I often already know many of the drivers from Formula Two and Three."

Gianpiero Lambiase, who is Verstappen's long-serving race engineer, has also emphasised Verstappen's collaborative nature, despite the duo sharing some frosty radio communications over the years.

"Here at the track, Max, he's portrayed as the villain of the paddock, but away from the track, he is the complete opposite," Lambiase explained. "He's the most sincere, gentle giant and a very likeable character. I consider him a top friend."

For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express F1 newsletter, or join our WhatsApp community here.

He continued: "Max is clearly a generational talent," Lambiase added. "He's followed... in recent years, [Michael] Schumacher, Lewis [Hamilton], and he has taken on that mantle. And I think what he's brought to this paddock...

"You see it in his relationship with the rookies nowadays, they're all looking up to him and aspiring to be him and to achieve what he's achieved. So, I think Formula One needs to be grateful for that."

Lambiase did admit that the four-time world champion has a flaw, though. "Max's limitation? His stubbornness," he said. "He knows best, and that is an engineering challenge: to try and get yourself under his skin and into his head.

"I've come to accept that, even if at he time, he refuses to take in your recommendation, actually, he is absorbing it like a sponge, and he won't admit it, but he will then go and do what you've asked."