Following the dispute during last month’s Hungarian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton made some comments regarding longtime rival Max Verstappen, and it seems like he was right about the Dutchman.
Max Verstappen might have courted even more controversy at the Hungarian Grand Prix last month, according to Lewis Hamilton, and he has already been proven correct. The race last month was the focal point of a controversy involving Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, teammates at McLaren. When he stopped for new medium tires on lap 45, Norris was in second place.
After that, he overtook teammate Piastri, who stopped two circuits later. Although Norris was told by McLaren engineers to return the place to his teammate, he was hesitant to comply.
He stated that his continuous fight with Verstappen for the F1 championship was the reason he felt that way. Eventually, he gave in, and Hungary saw the McLaren one-two.
When questioned about the incident prior to the Belgian Grand Prix, Hamilton asserted that Verstappen, his bitter competitor, would have simply refused to back down. “It’s not my call to make,” he stated. Really, he wouldn’t have allowed him to pass if it had been Max. I am at a loss for words. I have no say in the matter. “Even though it’s difficult, I would follow the team’s instructions if I were in that circumstance. In the end, since it isn’t about you. It has to do with the 2,000 individuals you are collaborating and representing.
Paradoxically, Verstappen has already been involved in a similar incident. At the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix, the Red Bull driver disregarded team directives in order to let Sergio Perez to pass.
Earlier in the race, the two had switched positions to give Verstappen the chance to pass Fernando Alonso. But Red Bull was unable to, so they asked for a switchback.
“Please, Max, let Checo pass,” his race engineer pleaded. Verstappen was questioned by the engineer at the end of the race about his decision to defy orders. “I told you guys already last summer, don’t ask that to me again,” he retorted. Alright? Do we have that clear? I provided justifications, and I still do.” Verstappen’s antics at the moment infuriated Perez, especially since the Mexican was still chasing second in the drivers’ title. Verstappen had already won the campaign’s championship.
I appreciate that, gentlemen. Thank you.” Before continuing, Perez stated over the team radio, “This shows who [Verstappen] really is.” Perez finished third after two wins in 2022, as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc eventually defeated him. He followed it with a runners-up position last term, but following a terrible run of luck recently, he is currently ranked eighth.