Max Verstappen claims he and arch-rival Lewis Hamilton are ‘normal guys’ off track

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have had numerous on-track incidents in recent years.

Max Verstappen claims he and arch-rival Lewis Hamilton are ‘normal guys’ off track

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO).

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have one of the most iconic rivalries in F1. The two drivers have gone wheel-to-wheel on multiple occasions in recent years. Verstappen and Hamilton have established themselves as all-time greats in F1 history. However, the three-time world champion has claimed that both drivers share a normal relationship outside the F1 paddock.

The Dutch driver made it clear that there is nothing personal about his battle with the seven-time champion. The 26-year-old reckoned that he didn’t need such a rivalry. Max Verstappen mentioned that he and Hamilton would always aim to defeat one another. However, in private away from the cameras, the two world champions have a casual relationship.

I don't need that kind of rivalry. Of course we want to beat each other, but honestly, once we're in a private setting it's like just normal guys.
Max Verstappen said in an interview with TheTimes

Verstappen and Hamilton battled it out on the final lap of the final race in 2021 for the championship. It was the Red Bull driver who emerged victorious amidst a controversial decision by then-Race Director Michael Masi. Since then, Max Verstappen has enjoyed a massive pace advantage over the seven-time champion courtesy of Red Bull’s dominance.

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Lewis Hamilton aims to challenge Max Verstappen in 2024

Mercedes has struggled in F1’s ground-effect era. The Brackley-based team has been miles behind Red Bull for the past two seasons. So much so, that Lewis Hamilton has failed to win a single race since the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP. On the other hand, Max Verstappen has dominated the last two years.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen (via imago)
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen (via imago)

However, things could change in the upcoming F1 season. The Silver Arrows have made radical changes in its car concept to get back to winning ways. Even Lewis Hamilton has been motivating his team over the winter break to ensure that the car could fight Max Verstappen’s Red Bull this year.

Red Bull remain the favorites for the 2024 F1 season. The Austrian team has worked on their upcoming challenger for several months. Subsequently, it could be difficult for Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes to trouble Max Verstappen in the coming months. Although it remains to be seen if the Brackley-based team can match the reigning world champions this year.

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