The Formula One world is magical; it can transform lives. Young drivers enter the F1 arena after just a few impressive races. BOOM! They’re celebrities. One such name that skyrocketed to unparalleled popularity is Max Verstappen. Moreover, the Dutchman has enlisted himself among the sport’s legends in just under a decade. Verstappen won three consecutive world titles with precise racing skills and a fearless approach. Further, he is at the doorstep of winning his fourth this season.
However, there are always two sides to everything. The dark side of being famous is undue hatred on social media platforms. A 26-year-old racer minding his business gets unnecessary hate over the most peculiar thing. Thus, his fellow F1 driver has now taken a stand against the online abusers, and rightfully so.
Toxic Online Culture: Liam Lawson Extends Support To Max Verstappen After Unnecessary Online Hate
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Kelly Piquet and Max Verstappen recently addressed online abuse. Piquet, daughter of three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet, spoke out against the false accusations and rumors she’s faced over the past three years. Further, she emphasized the harmful effects of spreading lies and urged people to verify information before making threats. Moreover, Verstappen supported her, condemning the false accusations and stressing that hate has no place in the world. He expressed his love and happiness within their family, calling for an end to the baseless attacks.
Later, Liam Lawson, who steered for RB (then Alpha Tauri) in five races during the 2023 season, addressed Max Verstappen’s unnecessary criticism on Talk Sport. Liam Lawson praised Max Verstappen for his ability to handle pressure and criticism with ease. Further, he highlighted that Verstappen is not overly concerned with others’ opinions, a position that comes from his extensive success in racing. Despite the hate that sometimes accompanies his victories, Verstappen remains unfazed and enjoys substantial support from his fan base. Moreover, the New Zealander emphasized that Verstappen has nothing to worry about.
Lawson also shared a personal anecdote from his unexpected debut at last year’s Dutch Grand Prix, where he had to step in after Daniel Ricciardo broke his hand during a practice crash at Zandvoort. Verstappen’s presence and support were invaluable to Lawson. With the driver rooms in the Red Bull energy station situated close to each other, Verstappen took the time to visit Lawson before the race. Rather than offering driving tips, Verstappen focused on helping Lawson manage his stress, reminding him to enjoy the moment and acknowledge the significance of his achievement. Thus, he described Verstappen as mentally strong, likely the strongest driver in this regard, and immensely helpful in navigating the high-pressure situation.
Lawson Not Surprised by Verstappen Ranking Higher Than Hamilton in F1 2024
Liam Lawson believes it is fair that Max Verstappen is currently ranked higher than Lewis Hamilton in F1 2024. He attributes this to Verstappen’s exceptional form and the strength of his team over the past few years.
While acknowledging Hamilton’s competitiveness, Lawson notes that comparisons in Formula 1 are challenging, as drivers can only be accurately compared to their teammates. Thus, he finds it difficult to compare drivers from different teams directly, emphasizing that Verstappen’s performance within his team stands out.
