Lewis Hamilton says he respects his arch-rival Max Verstappen but is not sure if that is mutual.
During the 2021 season, an intense battle was fought between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton with the Formula 1 world title at stake. The two ruffs met on the track a number of times, fortunately only resulting in damage to the roof, but the icing on the cake had to be then come.
The decision as to who would become world champion was determined during the last round of the season by a controversial decision by the race management. It was Max Verstappen who crowned himself world champion for the first time while Lewis Hamilton missed out on an eighth world title.
Last season, Mercedes lagged behind the facts all year and there was never really a battle between Verstappen and Hamilton. In Brazil things went well for the team from Brackley and the two ruffs met again with a crash as a result, both gentlemen were able to continue their way but Verstappen had a five-second time penalty.
After the crash in question, Hamilton stated that he felt like a target, but denied that he would have any problems with the Dutchman.
People like to tell me that I’m trouble between Max and me, he told Formula 1 Magazine. I respect him.
But the seven-time world champion is not sure if that feeling is mutual.
He’s much younger, so maybe he has a problem with me. But I’m not sure and actually I assume it’s not the case. Although I can’t speak for him.
Hamilton also says that he has no grudge against Max Verstappen because of what happened in Abu Dhabi.
He did everything he needed to do in 2021, so why should I have a problem with him, said Hamilton. Every weekend he has performed excellently, nobody can take that away from him.
Max Verstappen, for his part, said that he does not understand why he collided so often with Lewis Hamilton.
Somehow it’s a different story with Lewis, and I don’t know why, said Verstappen last year.
In Brazil we crashed, it was not my intention. I was blamed, which I didn’t think was fair. If it had been more of a racing incident, I could have lived with it.”
“But… I don’t understand. I don’t feel like I’m doing anything different to Lewis or the other drivers in terms of how we race.”
But Verstappen emphasizes that he has respect for Hamilton: I have always believed that you should respect people who have achieved something in the sport. I have no problem at all with what Lewis has achieved. He’s one of the best ever.