‘Just look back on the seven titles you have,’ Max Verstappen doesn’t think Lewis Hamilton should feel ‘terrible’ after Abu Dhabi GP heartbreak


‘Just look back on the seven titles you have,’ Max Verstappen doesn’t think Lewis Hamilton should feel ‘terrible’ after Abu Dhabi GP heartbreak

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen

The Toubro-Hybrid era dominance of Mercedes and 7 times world champion Lewis Hamilton was ended by their main rival Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, ironically, in the last season of the challengers as Formula 1 is set to host a completely new set of rules from 2022. Max Verstappen secured his maiden world title in the 2021 season finisher in Abu Dhabi overtaking race leader Lewis Hamilton in the last lap thanks to controversial unlapping decision from race director Michael Masi.

The drama and controversy in the air followed by a long period of silence from Lewis Hamilton prompted the drama and confusion to persist. The decision still divides opinions among the F1 community and now the reigning world champion Max Verstappen has come out expressing his opinion on the incidents to his interview with The Guardian.

Find what was opinionated by Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen said its difficult for him picture himself in a situation like what Lewis Hamilton had gone through in Abu Dhabi as he isn’t a 7times world champion.  Max Verstappen said it would have felt less painful for him if he is already a seven-time world champion than when he is fighting for his first title by leading all the way, controlling it all the way, and then losing it on the last lap. When asked about Lewis Hamilton’s pain increasing as he loses out the chance for 8th world title Max Verstappen replied as king is it too bad when you already have seven.

FS Video

For me it’s difficult to picture myself in that situation, because I’m not a seven-time world champion. If I was already a seven-time world champion it hurts a bit less than when I am fighting for my first, leading all the way, controlling it all the way, and then losing it on the last lap. That would be way more painful than already having seven in the bag,” says Max Verstappen.

Yeah, but just look back on the seven you have. I don’t think it’s so bad, is it?” Max Verstappen replied.

It was nice of him’ Max Verstappen recall Lewis Hamilton ‘immediately’ coming over to appreciate him following the Abu Dhabi drama

Max Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen after the Abu Dhabi GP

Max Verstappen was asked What does he  recall of the exchange with Hamilton and him following the dramatic win in Abu Dhabi he replied that Lewis Hamilton congratulated him in that quick meet up. Max Verstappen added though he doesn’t remember the rest of the words it was nice of him to immediately come over.  

I only saw him quickly, when we took our helmets off, and I think it was: ‘Congrats, man.’ I don’t even know the words any more. But it was nice of him, of course, to immediately come over,” Max Verstappen said.

Also read: Fernando Alonso believes strongly in Alpine’s new F1 car for the 2022 season