‘It’s not something that fuels me’ - Max Verstappen downplays F1 rivalry with Lewis Hamilton

Reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen has downplayed his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton by stating that “it’s not something that necessarily fuels me”.
(L to R): Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 and Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing at the start of season driver's
(L to R): Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 and Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing at the…

Verstappen and Hamilton locked horns throughout the 2021 F1 season in a titanic bat🃏tle for the drivers’ championship.

Remote video URL

The Dutchman ultimately came out on top after overtaking Hamilton on the final lap of the season finale in 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Abu Dhabi

Verstappen would win his second title unchallenged, h🎐owever, the pair still came to blows at the penultimate round of the season in Brazil.

With Mercedes expected to return to their pre-20ౠ22 form in 2023, F1 could be set for another incredible battle between Verstappen and Hamilton.

However, when asked about his rivalry with Hamilton and Mercedes, Veꦿrsꦜtappen expressed his wish for Ferrari and McLaren to be serious title contenders, not just the German manufacturer.

“It’s not something that necessarily fuels me,” Verstappen told CNN. “There are more great ꩵbrands out there as well, like Ferrar🌌i and McLaren. 

“I hope all these great br🌠ands can fight for 💫a title one day together. It’s something F1 wants and needs.”

One other unlikely conflict that surfaced at the end of last year was with Red Bull teammate 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Sergio Perez.

Verstappen refused to move over for his teammate in Brazil even though Perez was in a tight fight for second in the drivers’ championship against 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen hinted that Perez spun on purpose earlier in the season in Monaco to e🐻nsure he secured track position for t🥀he race.

Pe🐎rez would go on to win the Monaco Grand Prix, with Verstappen fini🐟shing third.

(L to R): Race winner Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing and third placed team mate Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing
(L to R): Race winner Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing and third placed team mate Sergio…

Despite a brief falling out, Verstappen has insisted they are “professional enough to💎 move past those things”.

“It's been really good, we get on really well,” he said. “We're going on our third year together now. For the team it's important that we can work together and bring the team for❀ward.

“We are professional enough to move past those things. We're racing drivers, 🌱sometimes emotions they go high. But that's normal. I mean we are full of adrenaline after a race too.”

Read More