Max Verstappen makes feelings on Lewis Hamilton ‘drama’ clear as F1 season creeps closer

Max Verstappen prevails in world title shoot-out

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Max Verstappen is adamant the ‘drama’ of his relationship with Lewis Hamilton must end. The Red Bull and Mercedes stars clashed multiple times in 2021, enhancing the spectacle of the sport. Yet Formula One’s newest champion wants things between them to change.

Verstappen has been, for years, steadily closing the gap on Hamilton.

And that appeared to show in 2021, with both men clashing numerous times over the course of the campaign.

In the end, it was Verstappen who had the last laugh with the Dutch driver winning the F1 title on the final lap of the season in Abu Dhabi.

It was a bitter blow for Hamilton, with the Brit denied the chance to eclipse Michael Schumacher’s record of seven crowns.

The 37-year-old has only recently returned to social media, while he visited the Mercedes factory earlier in the week as part of his preparations for the new campaign.

Verstappen, however, wants their rivalry to change.

THINK YOU KNOW SPORT? Test your sporting knowledge with our tricky quiz

Speaking to The Guardian, he said: “You can’t have that drama every single year, for sure.

“It’s not good for me, it’s not healthy for anyone in the team – both teams.”

Verstappen insists he can only get better now, however, believing he’s capable of dominating F1 for many years to come.

“That little pressure in the back of your mind, of having to win a World Championship or trying to win it, has gone,” he said.

“It’s already happened. I’ve done it. So when it’s tough or you’re having bad luck you probably will deal with it easier than normal.”

The Red Bull star also doubled down on recent comments that you need ‘luck’ to win seven F1 titles.

Hamilton, along with former Ferrari and Mercedes driver Schumacher, are the only two men to have ever done it.

Some previously construed Verstappen’s previous comments to be a dig at his Mercedes counterpart.

But he’s now reiterated his chance, adding: “If I never get to a number seven or number eight [title], it’s fine.

“You need a lot of luck to be in such a dominant position for such a long time.

“I just want to enjoy it and I know that, when I get to the track, I still want to win.”

Verstappen elaborated on the British Grand Prix, too, where he accused Hamilton of ‘dirty driving’ as he was left in hospital following a collision.

He admitted it was ‘painful’ to lose the race and admitted that it took him a while to get over the incident.

“It was the most painful one of all,” said the Red Bull driver.

“It was tough points-wise but literally, it was very painful. My neck, my back, my shoulders.

“I’m quite tough and I can take quite a hit but it’s not good for your body or your brain to have an impact like that.

“I got home and for four days I was not watching TV or doing any sim [simulated virtual reality] racing because your brain has to rest.”

F1 president Stefano Domenicali, meanwhile, thinks Hamilton will be ‘charged’ for the upcoming season as he looks to usurp Verstappen.

“There was a total respect on his choice to be on silent mode,” Domenicali said.

“I think he will be fully charged for the start of the season.

“Lewis has in front of him a possibility to be an eight-time world champion.

“So I’m sure he is totally focused on these objectives because this year there will be so many new things, so many variables, that will allow this championship to be so attractive.”

Domenicali also wants Hamilton and Verstappen to have more competition when it comes to winning the F1 title.

“My aspiration for F1 is there would not only be a rivalry between two drivers, but a rivalry between more drivers because we are in front of a step change for F1 in regards to the new cars,” he said.

“If the job will be done in the right way, I think the objective was very clear, to make sure the drivers who are a big asset for F1 will have the chance to do it because of the cars.

“My dream will be to have not only Max and Lewis fighting for that, but also having other drivers as part of the battle.”

Source: Read Full Article