The downfall of a 7-time world champion like Lewis Hamilton and the rise of a budding star driver like Max Verstappen is the recent turn of events in the Formula 1 arena. The British driver has been a part of two of the most prominent teams in F1, initially in McLaren and for a long-standing period in Mercedes AMG Petronas.
Hamilton had the opportunity to pair up with few of the most talented drivers like Fernando Alonso, Nico Rosberg, Jenson Button, and Valtteri Bottas.
Ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Lewis Hamilton made a sly remark that the success Max Verstappen is experiencing is overstated and has had teammates who typically are less competent as compared to him. But the Dutchman did not hold himself back and harshly stated, “Maybe Lewis is a bit jealous of my current success. Maybe he thinks he gains something with that, with statements like that, but it makes no difference to me”.
Max Verstappen on Lewis Hamilton’s comments about his teammates:
“Maybe Lewis is a bit jealous of my current success.”
“I think at Mercedes they have a very hard time dealing with losing, after all these years of winning so much.”
“But at some point you also have to be… pic.twitter.com/CsKFTsxm0U
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) September 2, 2023
The range in the performance between the two drivers is too vast and the Briton doesn’t seem to be able to catch up with the youngster, while many would argue that it is the age factor. Regardless, Hamilton seems to be at rock bottom with no way out, and the line of statement against the undoubted champion of the 2023 season did not go well with fans who put Twitter on fire.
Fans react to the squabble between Hamilton and Verstappen
Both Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have built a fanbase that a more opinionated and will nab every opportunity to belittle the other.
Mercedes struggled with issues with performance in the early going of this year’s championship but decided to step away from the zeropod idea and adopted a configuration that was closer to Red Bull’s downwash concept at the Monaco Grand Prix. Particularly Lewis Hamilton has been outspoken about the difficulties of establishing the appropriate level of stability in the car—or rather, the lack therein leading to the lackluster performance.
The race to overthrow one another from the dominant spot
Verstappen’s recent feat of breaking the record that was maintained by former world champion, Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton did praise Verstappen and Red Bull for their achievements, but he further stated that the current Formula 1 exhibit of superiority is not a surprise for him more so than prior days of domination. But sadly, the Briton’s glorious phase is long gone.
People hyping up Verstappen 9 wins in a row when Hamilton has 11😭
Levels to this game🐐 pic.twitter.com/TqWniqsmhi
— 44 (@MrrLH44) August 27, 2023
Currently, Max Verstappen is making steady progress towards winning his third World Championship championship. With a 183-point edge over Lewis, he currently holds an overpowering lead in the Drivers’ Championship.
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