Lewis Hamilton appeared to ignore Max Verstappen in cool down room after F1 Austrian Grand Prix
The respectful chatter between fellow♕ drivers which is commonplace in the post-race room where they must go to weigh themselves was replaced by a steely awkwardness.
Verstappen, who finished second, wasꦛ sat down when Hamilton, who completed the podium, entered the room.
Hamilton weighed himself, placed his helmet down, t൩hen exitꦯed the room without looking at Verstappen or exchanging a word.
The rivalry that peaked on the notorious last lap of the 2021 season has reemerged over the past few weeks behind the star drivers of Red Bull anജd Mercedes, their team principles and even their respective armies of fans.
Hamilton had praised 🍎Cha꧙rles Leclerc at the British Grand Prix as “sensible” in a clear dig at Verstappen’s driving style.
Verstappen replied by sarcastically saying: “I think it’s great that, when you’re 37 years old, at some point you understand how to get to an apꦡex.”
Christian Horner and Toto Wolff, the Red Bull and Mercedes bosses respectively, have also clashed on 💟F1 rules.
And both dr⛎ivers have received hostile receptions from their rival’s fan-bases over the past week.
After Hamilton left the cool down room in🐟 Austria, race winner Leclerc of Ferrari entered.
Verstapꦏpen said to Leclerc about Carlos Sainz’s retirement: “Did you see the fire?”
Leclerc: “Yes.”
Verstappen: “You guys were fast today.”
Leclerc: “I know.”
