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Max Verstappen says his opinion of Lewis Hamilton has changed – 'and not in a good way'

Tom Cary
·16-min read
F1 press conference live: Lewis Hamilton speaks after Max Verstappen says he lost respect for F1 title rival - EPA
F1 press conference live: Lewis Hamilton speaks after Max Verstappen says he lost respect for F1 title rival - EPA

Max Verstappen said on Thursday that he had lost respect for Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes this season, having seen a “different side” to his rivals.

As the build-up to Sunday’s title-deciding race in the desert intensified, Red Bull’s joint-championship leader added that he felt he had been unfairly victimised by stewards.

The Dutchman claimed that two other drivers were allowed to get away with manoeuvres for which he was punished in Saudi Arabia last weekend. Verstappen was twice ordered to give back positions gained unfairly, and was also docked 15 seconds in time penalties.

“Clearly things don’t apply for everyone because the things I did in terms of defending, two other guys didn’t get a mention or penalty,” he said. “I don’t understand because I thought I was just racing hard. What happened for me clearly didn’t deserve any penalty.

“It is only me who gets it and fighting at the front people are a bit more critical, I guess.

“For me, I was not wrong. [But] clearly only I was wrong somehow. Like I said, other people do exactly the same thing and get nothing. Both of us [himself and Hamilton] were off the track into turn one and somehow they judged that it was my fault. That I don’t agree with.”

Verstappen said he felt the penalty he was given in Jeddah last weekend for “sudden” and “erratic” braking on lap 37, having been ordered to give the lead back to Hamilton, was similarly unfair.

“The other penalty as well I don’t agree with, then afterwards he pushes me off the track, he even looks at me and he gets a warning for that,” he said. “It is not how it should be and also not fair because it seems other drivers can do different things and only I get a penalty.”

Michael Masi, the FIA race director, on Thursday reminded all drivers that he had the power to remove championship points and issue race bans for unsportsmanlike behaviour. Verstappen, though, said he would not change his driving on Sunday.

“Why should I change when others are allowed to race like that. I think everyone should be allowed to race like that,” he said.

“To be honest, the only thing I ask for is that it is fair for everyone and that is not the case at the moment. Up until now it has been quite inconsistent, that is for sure, but I am here to win the race.”

Verstappen, who heads into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix looking for his maiden title, made his comments in his own press conference on Thursday, before the main FIA conference where he was paired with Hamilton. The 24-year-old was far more bullish on his own, saying he had seen a different side to Hamilton and Mercedes this year. “Yes, very much so, and not in a positive way,” he said.

Hamilton, for his part, said he was not worried by the possibility of collisions or the thought that the race could be decided in the stewards’ room should the two rivals clash on the track.

“I honestly don’t give it any energy,” he said. “I’m just here to do the best job I can with the team. Hopefully they [the stewards] won’t need to be used and we have a great race and move forwards. I don’t really particularly have an opinion about it. I don’t want to see the stewards as much as they don’t want to see me.”

Sunday’s race will be broadcast on free-to-air television, after Channel 4 reached an agreement with Sky Sports to take their in-race coverage. Alex Mahon, chief executive of Channel 4, said: “We are delighted that the whole nation will be able to watch what is set to be one of the most thrilling finales to an F1 season in living memory as Lewis strives to become the most-crowned world champion of all time.

“After bringing Test cricket to free-to-air television for the first time in more than a decade, and enabling millions to share the joy of Emma Raducanu’s US Open triumph, we are so pleased to be partnering with Sky to enable the widest possible audience to share this historic sporting moment.”

Hamilton said he was happy that millions in Britain would be able to tune in to the season finale. “I grew up in an era when Formula One was free,” he said. “I know that’s the way the world has gone with pay TV, but I think it’s amazing, particularly in the times we’re living in now: Covid, people have lost jobs and businesses. It’s a great gift at this time of year.”

Heavyweights' phoney war a warm-up ahead of main act

By Tom Cary

It was like Formula One’s version of a boxing weigh-in at Yas Marina. You half expected Michael Buffer to MC.

In the silver (arrows) corner, wearing the natty purple trousers and the black face mask, coming all the way from Stevenage, by way of Monaco, the undisputed champion: Hamilton. And his opponent this weekend, chasing his first world title, a man not afraid to put pedal to metal, even after the braking zone has ended, it’s your challenger: Verstappen.

The decision to pair the two title protagonists in this week’s Thursday press conference – usually a joyless exercise that sees the drivers reluctantly turn up two by two, like animals in Noah’s Ark, to give a few inane answers – was obviously the only one that any self-respecting press officer could have made. But it was a great bit of casting by the FIA press bods all the same.

Not that these two heavyweights of the paddock were giving much away. Body language experts would have had a field day analysing their tics, their passive-aggressive responses. But most of the trash-talking had been done earlier, Verstappen telling reporters he had seen a “different side” to his title rival this year, “and not in a positive way”.

Hamilton, meanwhile, had turned up at the paddock in Abu Dhabi wearing a purple top to go with his bottoms, emblazoned with the words ‘F--- You’ on the back. It was unclear whether Verstappen was the target of his message.

Now that they were alongside each other, separated only by the trophy for which they will do battle on Sunday, they were keeping their cards to their chests. There were a few digs here and there. Verstappen mentioned he had been enjoying himself in Dubai between the last race in Saudi Arabia and this one, celebrating his girlfriend’s birthday. Hamilton saw the chance to turn the screw. “I was also fortunate to be in Dubai,” he said, before casually adding: “Just training. Focusing on recovery.” Ding ding.

Hamilton then landed another jab. “I remember what it’s like going for your first title,” he said. The subtext was clear: I’m the daddy. Verstappen tried to hit back with a couple digs of his own. “I don’t need to be reminded of the rules,” he said pointedly. “Clearly for me there are different rules compared with other drivers.” That one was more aimed at the stewards, really.

In the end they stood up, without having looked at each other once in the entire 20 minutes, and stalked off. The phoney war was entertaining but the real thing this weekend promises to be much more lively.

Hamilton and Verstappen press conference, as it happened

02:17 PM

Think that's the last we'll hear of Hamilton for now

Fair to say he looks very confident, as well he might do. He's got the fastest car, the experience and a track that should play into his hands on Sunday.

02:16 PM

And on this track and his car

"The places where we were weak last year are no longer there."

02:15 PM

Hamilton on possibility of points deductions

"It's such a hard job that the stewards and Micheal [Masi] have, whether you agree with them or not. It's good that it's clear that everyone knows what the rules are so that things that have happened in the past don't happen again."

02:14 PM

Confident you can get the job done?

"We've had an incredible three races. I'm proud of my team helping me get to this point."

02:13 PM

Hamilton speaks

"It's a real privilege to be fighting for the championship. The only difference going into this one is that I'm older!"

02:05 PM

Does a man deserve to lose a driver's title...

...for wearing purple combat trousers? Answers in the comments please.

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02:03 PM

Russell's view

01:59 PM

Are you penalised for racing the way you do?

"Clearly. I end up with penalties while other drivers do the same and don't get a penalty. I've paid the FIA a nice fine, so they've had dinners and good wine but it doesn't seem to help."

01:57 PM

Verstappen on the battle with Hamilton

"If you know me, I don't feel uncomfortable. We've had a really good season but we'll try to finish it off in style"

On Hamilton's car

"The last few races they've been very strong and difficult to beat. It's up to me to get the best out of my car and myself."

01:55 PM

More live comments coming up

Both drivers have started on the interviews with the broadcast media. Expecting to hear more from Verstappen and Hamilton shortly. Ideally someone will ask how Hamilton feels about Verstappen's comments about losing respect for Hamilton over the course of this season. See the first post in this blog for exactly what the Dutchman said.

01:53 PM

Ruthless, reckless or racing?

Telegraph Sport looked at five key controversial moments in Jeddah and offered our verdict on whether it was fair racing, ruthless or plain reckless. Read our analysis here.

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01:47 PM

Break in proceedings

Neither man there really wanting to engage with the idea that the race could be decided by a crash. The reason for that line of questioning is that, should neither man finish, Verstappen stands to win the title.

As unsavoury as that sounds, Ollie Brown explained last weekend that Verstappen was driving like a man who was prepared to crash in order to win the title.

"There is a slender margin in this sport between audacity and recklessness, and the would-be champion is falling increasingly on the wrong side," said our chief sports writer.

01:43 PM

On race director's warnings about possible points deductions this weekend

Hamilton: "It's happened in the past. I think it's fair [that it can happen]. Hopefully it won't come to that. I'm here to do my job and I don't want to see the stewards any more than they want to see me."

Verstappen: "There's nothing that has been added to the rules."

01:42 PM

Is there anything left to go for after this?

Hamilton: "It feels like just another championship. I don't turn up with No 1 on my car [at the beginning of the season ] and I consider myself the one who's fighting for the championship."

01:40 PM

Any concerns the race won't be won fairly?

Hamilton: "I don't give it any energy. We never thought we'd be neck-and-neck going into the final race. We've had an amazing recovery as a team. We don't waste energy on things that are out of our control"

01:40 PM

On the prospect of the title being decided by a crash

Verstappen: "You don't think about these things as a driver. I arrived here trying to be as prepared as possible."

Hamilton: "I can't control the things around me. I can only control my own preparation."

01:39 PM

A fan asks whether Hamilton and Verstappen get free ice cream...

...because they're famous. Hamilton says that he doesn't get free ice cream but that he'll take it up with a local shop. Stevenage ice-cream sellers, you have been warned.

Verstappen says he DOES get free ice-cream! His dad's half brother runs an ice-cream shop. Extraordinary!

01:37 PM

Downtime in Dubai

Both men say they've been enjoying a bit of down time in Dubai. I doubt that they spent much time together. Hamilton says that he went to the skydive tunnel and learned to "fly on my back". Sounds fun.

01:36 PM

On reaching this point

Hamilton: "With the year that we've had, many people would have ruled us out of being this close. It's been a group effort from everyone at the factory and the track. Nobody's ever done eight before, but I remember what it was like going for my first."

Verstappen: "The season has been really enjoyable. After last year I didn't think I'd be sitting here. We've had good results and bad luck but can be really proud to be fighting for this title."

01:34 PM

Hamilton and Verstappen sighted

The men running one and two in the drivers' championship have appeared at the circuit at Yas Marina, chaperoned by minders and media managers. It's half past five in Abu Dhabi. Late timings all weekend for this race, which takes place as evening falls in the middle east.

01:24 PM

How we got to this point

Little more than five minutes before Hamilton and Verstappen sit alongside each other to look ahead to the race that will help define their careers. Here's how we got here, in one snappy little animation.

01:22 PM

Hamilton in the box seat at Yas Marina

Before this weekend's decider, Tom Cary took a closer look at the circuit at Yas Marina, searching for signs that Hamilton's speed advantage may not prove decisive. Did he find any? Er, not really.

"It will be interesting to see whether this year’s revised layout makes any difference, with “significant alterations” promising to spice up the action in three areas: the north hairpin (Turn Seven), the south marina (beginning at Turn 11), and the hotel section (beginning at Turn 17).

"More specifically, the changes consist of: eliminating the chicane and widening the hairpin at Turn Seven; removing the four sharp corners at Turns 11, 12, 13 and 14 to be replaced by one long banked turn; and opening up the radius of four corners (Turns 17, 18, 19 and 20) to create a faster-flowing section of the track.

"The redesign is clearly intended to aid overtaking opportunities at the circuit where Mercedes won six times in a row between 2014 and 2019, before Verstappen took victory for Red Bull at last year’s race."

01:01 PM

Ecclestone has his say on Hamilton-Verstappen rivalry

Bernie Ecclestone knew a marketing opportunity when he saw one, so it's no surprise that he's been enjoying the title race so far this season. But speaking after the Saudi Arabia grand prix, the 91 expressed his opinion that Mercedes haven't been playing entirely fair.

“Max is a kid compared to Lewis and the worst thing is Lewis has a massive publicity campaign working for him,” Ecclestone said. “They have been pushing down all the time on Max and then the race directors have been looking in because Toto goes to the race director.

“Max has more than a race to confront as he has them too on his back because they are bullying him and not playing fair. It is psychological game-playing.”

Read more on this story here

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12:55 PM

Title-decider will be on free-to-air TV

This morning Channel 4 confirmed a deal to broadcast Sunday’s Formula 1 season finale live on free-to-air TV after reaching a deal with Sky to share the rights.

The grand prix in Abu Dhabi pits Hamilton, seeking a record eighth title, against Red Bull’s Verstappen, who is aiming for his maiden title, in a winner-takes-all battle.

The two drivers head into the race level on points, although Verstappen would win the title on countback should neither driver finish due to his tally of nine victories this season to Hamilton’s eight.

Since Hamilton won his third race on the spin in Saudi Arabia last weekend, calls had been growing for the finale to be shown on free-to-air TV to maximise the number of people who can watch.

The race in Jeddah attracted record viewing figures on Sky Sports F1 of 2.66 million, but that number will be dwarfed now that Sunday's race is being shown on Channel 4

Channel 4 is normally limited to a highlights package but is expected to be allowed to do a pre- and post-race show, switching to Sky’s commentary for the race itself.

12:47 PM

Verstappen has lost respect for Hamilton this season

Max Verstappen says his opinion of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes has changed during the course of their season-long title battle — and not in a good way.

The two men will appear alongside each other at 1.30pm today, in the traditional pre-race press conference before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

Hamilton and Verstappen go into that race tied on 369.5 points after a year of ebb and flow racing.

Red Bull's Verstappen looked favourite to claim a maiden title until Hamilton - aiming for a record eighth drivers' championship - won the past three races heading into the finale at Yas Marina.

There have been plenty of incidents throughout the year, with Verstappen and Hamilton colliding on track and Red Bull boss Christian Horner and Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff verbally sparring off it.

Claims and counter-claims about the legitimacy of their rivals' cars, personal barbs and shunts on the circuit have punctuated what has already been a season to remember.

Hamilton collided with the back of Verstappen's car in last weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the latter was hit with a 10-second time penalty for slowing down without due caution, having already been handed a five-second penalty for earlier gaining an advantage by leaving the track.

Verstappen was labelled a "f****** crazy guy" by Hamilton over the team radio as their rivalry ramped up.

Asked if his opinion of Mercedes and Hamilton had altered over the course of the season, the Dutchman replied: "Yes, very much so. And not in a positive way.

"Clearly only I was wrong somehow, like I said other people do exactly the same thing and get nothing.

"Both of us were off the track into turn one and somehow they judged that it was my fault, that I don't agree with.

"The other penalty (causing the collision) as well I don't agree with, then afterwards he (Hamilton) pushes me off the track, he even looks at me, he doesn't turn in, he just pushes me outside the white line, the track edge, and he only gets a warning for that.

"It's not how it should be, it's not fair because it seems like other drivers can do different things, and it seems like only I get a penalty."

Ahead of the weekend, Formula One race director Michael Masi highlighted specific clauses in the FIA sporting code - reminding the racers that if anything untoward happened on track the protagonists could be punished with points deductions.

The most eye-catching point pulled out by Masi included: "The stewards may also decide to impose the following penalties: Suspension for one or more competitions, withdrawal of points for the championship, cup, challenge, trophy, series."