Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, two of the most competitive drivers in F1, have been at each other’s throats for the past few years. The Dutchman ignited a rivalry with the seven-time world champion in 2021. That year, the duo fought tooth and nail as the fight for the championship stretched until the final round.
While Max Verstappen clinched his maiden championship, the controversial circumstances exposed the dark side of F1. Regardless, the duo’s rivalry and intense competition have only intensified in the aftermath of the 2021 season fallout. Meanwhile, in the latest interview, Verstappen revealed if his on-track enmity with Hamilton has turned personal.
Max Verstappen Clarifies His On-Track Rivalry With Lewis Hamilton!
Reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen has always been an aggressive and fearless driver. His hunger to win meets no boundaries. Not only that, the Red Bull driver’s reckless attitude gave rise to numerous feuds with none other than seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. The duo crashed several times in the 2021 season, thus intensifying the existing rivalry. Moreover, the controversial results of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix only added to the enmity. The robbery of eight world championships has left a deep scar on Hamilton as he grapples with new challenges. On the other hand, Verstappen went onto script history with Red Bull by collecting three successive championships. Having said that, the Dutch driver recently dismissed the idea of a personal enmity between him and Hamilton.
Speaking with The Times, Max Verstappen said that he does not want any kind of rivalry with Lewis Hamilton. Of course, they want to beat one another on the track. But what happens on the track stays on the track. Verstappen suggested that in a private setting, he and Hamilton share utmost respect for one another. “It’s like just normal guys,” added Verstappen. Having said that, this clarification aims to provide insight into the competitive camaraderie between Verstappen and Hamilton. While the two drivers are at each other throats on track, the duo never misses a chance to appreciate one another’s achievements and milestones. Having said that, as the 2024 season inches closer, both Red Bull and Mercedes are expected to be close competitors. It would be interesting to see how Mercedes moves on from the challenges it has endured in these past couple of seasons.
Verstappen Opens Up On His Invincible Run In 2023
Max Verstappen and Red Bull scripted history in the 2023 F1 season. Barring the Singapore GP, the team won every race on the calendar. On the other hand, Verstappen also enjoyed a historic winning streak. Having said that, the task of staying at the top was easier said than done. Max recently opened up on how he adjusted himself according to RB19 in order to achieve success.
“I kept the car a little more under control, changing the behavior of everything around me,” said Max Verstappen. He said he feared lockup while braking. But ultimately, finding the right balance has always been the key for him. Overall, the Dutch driver was extremely pleased with his performance in 2023.
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