Formula 1: “I respect Hamilton as a driver, but the rest…nothing” – Max Verstappen’s father speaks on rivalry ahead of Abu Dhabi GP decider – Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are embroiled in a rivalry for the ages, with the duo set to face off in a winner takes all Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend. The two drivers are level on points and have been fighting toe to toe throughout the season, with a finale set for Sunday. Before the all-important race, Jos Verstappen, Max Verstappen’s father said that he respects Lewis Hamilton as a driver but has no positive things to say about the Mercedes man beyond that. Follow Abu Dhabi GP LIVE updates on Insidesport.in.
Formula 1: “I respect Hamilton as a driver, but the rest…nothing” – Max Verstappen’s father speaks on rivalry ahead of Abu Dhabi GP decider
Speaking to Daily Mail ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Jos Verstappen suggested that neither he nor Max have a connection of any kind with Lewis Hamilton, whom he feels is not as friendly as the other drivers and is “in his own world”. Max Verstappen’s father, who is constantly by the Dutchman’s side during the season, said, “I never speak to Lewis. He doesn’t need to speak to me. I’m nothing to him. I respect him as a driver, but the rest…nothing.”
He added, “Max and Lewis only speak on the podium, very little. When I see Max with other drivers, I think they get on very well. But with Lewis, nothing. Lewis is in his own world. I did F1 — compared to Max I was nowhere — but I talk to some of the drivers and they are all very friendly, or just say hello or whatever. We are on the plane together many times, always the same group of drivers and we have a lot of fun. But there are some drivers who don’t look at you, who look at the ground.”
Formula 1: “I respect Hamilton as a driver, but the rest…nothing” – Max Verstappen’s father speaks on rivalry ahead of Abu Dhabi GP decider
Back in July, Max Verstappen had built up a cosy 32-point lead but the momentum is now back at Mercedes with Lewis Hamilton driving like a man with an unprecedented eighth world championship in his sights. The Briton’s against-all-odds win in Brazil, Qatar cruise and Sunday’s Saudi stunner means that for the first time since Emerson Fittipaldi and Clay Regazzoni in 1974 the title protagonists go into the closing race level on points.
The two drivers have tussled enough times and the rivalry has turned ugly time and again over the course of the season. Jos Verstappen, who raced with the legendary Michael Schumacher during his Formula 1 days, said that German was very different to how Hamilton is.
He added, “We met personally too. He changed a little bit at the circuit, but he would still be friendly. Lewis does it his own way, which you can’t say is wrong because he wins a lot. Yes, he has had teammates, but he has been in the right environment. He made the right decision to go to Mercedes and has had the fastest car for a long time.”
