Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton fought a fiery battle in 2021, which saw the birth of F1’s newest rivalry. Their clashes in Silverstone, Monza, Jeddah and in the season finale characterised one of the most thrilling seasons in sports history.
Although the Dutchman emerged victorious by claiming his first championship title, it was far from over. Max’s controversial last-lap victory deeply affected Lewis, who felt he was robbed of the title.
Since then the relationship between the two has barely improved. They barely hold conversations in the paddock or the cool-down room or even look each other in the eye often.
But Lewis and Max were caught in the middle of a bigger battle. The feud was aggravated due to the rivalries shared by Red Bull and Mercedes over the course of the season.
🗣 “Luck came at the right time”
🗣 “[Lewis Hamilton] came straight up to me… that’s what real sportsmen do… we respect each other a lot as drivers”
Max Verstappen reflects on his 2021 #F1 title – will he be victorious again in 2022? 🏆pic.twitter.com/CMATXCQJcO
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) January 6, 2022
They did lock horns with one another again in 2022, but Verstappen and Red Bull weren’t really a completion for Lewis. And this caused rumours to emerge that the two champions had bad blood.
However, Hamilton has denied any issues between him and Verstappen. And the Briton commends his rival’s performance in 2022.
Hamilton claims no issues between him and Max Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton has dismissed the rumours of issues between him and Max Verstappen as “fairytales”. Hamilton claims the two did share a heated on-track rivalry last season, but that was necessary for either of them to challenge for the title.
According to Hamilton, he has no resentment for his rival. “People like to talk about problems between Max and me, but that’s not true,” he said. But the Briton cannot speak on Verstappen’s behalf.
He added, “At least, 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,”
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton shared a moment after their thrilling finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 🤝 @ESPNF1 pic.twitter.com/M0JDRIXXSn
— ESPN (@espn) December 12, 2021
Rather Hamilton regards Verstappen as a competent World Champion as he says, “I respect him.” Hamilton asserts that maintaining such a high level of performance on a consistent basis is never simple.
When asked about Max’s role in Abu Dhabi he said, “He did everything he had to do in 2021, so why should I have a problem with him? He performed and delivered every weekend, nobody can take that away from him,”
Additionally, he emphasises how well Red Bull has performed as a team, something the 7-time world champion can only admire.
