Croft responds to Verstappen’s testy Jeddah jibe: ‘That’s my job’

A seemingly minor but telling exchange between Max Verstappen and Sky F1 commentator David Croft during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend has become a talking point among fans – especially those quick to leap to the Red Bull driver’s defence.

The moment, which originated in a question about Verstappen’s long-term future at Red Bull, has since prompted Croft to offer clarification and context, following a wave of online backlash.

Whispers about Verstappen’s future grew louder once again in Saudi Arabia, prompting the Sky F1 broadcaster to press the Dutchman on persistent rumours linking him with a potential move to Aston Martin.

Reports have suggested that Aston’s big-money backing and growing ambitions could appeal to the four-time world champion – particularly in light of internal tensions at Red Bull and comments from advisor Helmut Marko.

“Max’s primary goal is the world championship,” Marko had told Kleine Zeitung. “If we give him the car he needs for that, the question of a move won’t even arise.”

Croft, seeking Verstappen’s own take, asked about his commitment to the team. The four-time world champion initially brushed off the question, giving little away.

Undeterred, Croft followed up: “So he’s [Marko] getting the wrong end of the stick? You’re not thinking of leaving Red Bull any time?”

Verstappen replied curtly: “No. I think just focus on commentating, I’ll focus on driving. Then you don’t need to think about any other scenarios.”

The matter-of-fact tone was not overtly hostile, but it struck a chord with some fans, many of whom accused Croft of overstepping or disrespecting the Red Bull driver.

Croft Responds: ‘That’s My Job’

In an interview with The Times, Croft addressed the incident and the subsequent reaction.

“Max brushed it off,” Croft explained. “I kind of expected that he would do, so I just said, ‘So Helmut’s got the wrong end of the stick?’ and then he said, ‘Just focus on commentating’ and I think he was joking, to be honest.”

Croft dismissed any suggestion of real tension between himself and Verstappen.

“Max and I have a really good relationship, I’ve known him from the outset,” he said. “We’ve never rowed about anything — he’s never come to me and gone, ‘I don’t like what you said’.”

Yet despite the rapport between the two, Croft acknowledged that some segments of Verstappen’s passionate fanbase were less forgiving.

“[But] some of the Max fans pick up on that and then just blame me for the question. That’s my job – people just choose to attack me. Fine. You can attack me as much as you want.”

He also made it clear that fan criticism wouldn’t stop him from doing his job.

“I’ll be there at the next press conference, and it’s not going to put me off asking the question.”

• Read also: Honda keen on future reunion with Verstappen after Red Bull split

As a seasoned commentator who has covered F1 for decades, Croft summed up the pressures of operating in the modern social media-driven environment.

“In the public eye and on social media, you’ve got to have the skin of a rhino.”

The brief back-and-forth in Jeddah highlights a familiar dynamic in Formula 1: the often fine line between hard-hitting journalism and preserving relationships in a high-profile, high-pressure sport.

For David Croft, asking tough questions is simply part of the job – even when the answers, or the reactions, stir a little controversy.

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