Max Verstappen responds to Lewis Hamilton’s ‘maybe Verstappen has a problem with me’ claim
Lewis Hamilton had previously claimed that he respects Max Verstappen, while at the same time not ruling out the Dutchman having a problem with him.
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Max Verstappen (L) Lewis Hamilton (R)
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton had a grueling title battle in 2021, which reached its climax in Abu Dhabi with the Dutchman coming out on top. The ending to such an incredible season was and remains controversial to this day. In any case, no one would blame Hamilton for feeling ‘hard done by’ after basically having his title snatched away on the last lap.
Title battles that are so close can also mean it damages the relationship of the people involved. Certainly, during it, neither was particularly fond of the other. Even now, people continue to believe they hate each other. However, both drivers have denied this ‘accusation’. Last month, in an interview with Formule1.nl, the Briton had said that he respects Verstappen, but he could not speak for the Dutchman.
He had said: “People like to talk about there being problems between Max and me. I respect him. He is a lot younger, so maybe he has a problem with me. But I am not sure about that and I actually assume not. Although I can’t speak for him.” which begged the question, does Verstappen actually have a problem with Hamilton? There’s always a lot of speculation on this front, but personally, Verstappen denies that that is the case.
Max Verstappen cites drivers’ dinner, ‘no issue’ with Lewis Hamilton
Last November, Lewis Hamilton had organized (and paid for) a dinner involving all 20 drivers on the grid. This was the first drivers’ dinner since 2016. Max Verstappen cited this dinner in his answer of whether he has an issue with Hamilton. Speaking to Mirror Sport, the two-time world champion said: “I don’t have an issue with anyone. We all sat at that dinner in Abu Dhabi [Vettel’s farewell dinner] and we all had a laugh with everyone, we all had a good time. So that’s okay.”
There is also a lot of talk regarding a potential three-way title fight next season between Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull. If that happens, then Verstappen and Hamilton are likely to go against each other. The Dutchman it would be in the ‘interest of the sport’ if Hamilton (and other drivers) got back in the title hunt: “From our side we can do better because in qualifying, most of the time [last year] we were not the quickest car. For the sport, everyone wants a title battle with multiple teams involved.”
Fans will be eagerly waiting for the start of the season to find out if the much-discussed potential three-way title fight actually has substance. It will also be good for Formula 1 – the more teams, the more excitement. Another thing to look out for is: If this title fight does happen, what will be the ‘nature’ of the relationship between Hamilton and Verstappen during it?
In case you missed it:
- “Lot of boring races,” Former Ferrari racer slams Max Verstappen’s F1 dominance
- “Max really put his best foot forward” Juan Pablo Montoya believes Max Verstappen was a ‘class apart’ in 2022
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Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)