Oct.30 - Max Verstappen says any lingering tension with 2021 rival Lewis Hamilton may now be one-sided.

The pair were locked in an ultra-intense battle for last year's title, with the ill-feeling between Red Bull and Mercedes still lingering after the controversial Abu Dhabi finale and subsequent budget cap saga.

But 2021 and 2022 world champion Verstappen says he has heard that Hamilton, 37, may still hold a grudge.

Why doesn't Hamilton want to use Max Verstappen's name?

Max Verstappen driving the Red Bull Racing RB18  and leads Lewis Hamilton driving the Mercedes W13 during the F1 2022 Grand Prix of The Netherlands

"People have told me that he doesn't use my name," the 25-year-old told the Mail on Sunday newspaper. "I was always taught that you have to respect what people have achieved in sport. I have no problem with what Lewis has achieved. He is one of the best ever."

Another driver with a fractious history with Hamilton is his former 2007 McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso, whose latest interview for the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf is making waves.

"I have a lot of respect for Lewis, but still it is different when you win seven world titles when you only had to fight with your teammate," the Spaniard said.

"I never had to fight with my teammate to win my titles," said the 2005 and 2006 drivers' championship winner. "Nor did I see Max fighting with Perez or Albon to win races."

When Alonso's comments created an online backlash, he insisted that the publication was guilty of a "continuous search for headlines".

"Please, all the titles are amazing, well deserved and inspiring. Incomparable to each other and let's enjoy champions and legends of our current time," he said on Twitter.

Verstappen said he wouldn't make the same kind of claims about whether Hamilton fully deserves his record-equalling seven titles.

"I know it is not only the car he has been driving," he said. "That helps - we all know that. But you still have to beat your teammate and Lewis has done that consistently. I think you have to acknowledge the person has done an amazing job as well."

However, he indicated that his and Hamilton's personalities are very different when it comes to one aspect of their success in Formula 1 - fame.

"I never wanted to be known. I wish I could walk around and nobody would know me," said the Red Bull driver. "I am not here to be liked and it's not going to ruin my day. I am having a great time with my team. People can say what they like, but I am here to perform."


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17 F1 Fan comments on “Why doesn't Hamilton want to use Max Verstappen's name?

    • CanadianEh

      Yes, but he didn't. The issue at hand is that Dame Lucille is a narcissist, while MadMax isn't. This is what the Mayo Clinic has to say about Dame Lucille's condition:

      "Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of extreme confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism.

      A narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships. People with narcissistic personality disorder may be generally unhappy and disappointed when they're not given the special favors or admiration they believe they deserve. They may find their relationships unfulfilling, and others may not enjoy being around them."

      Well, well, well. Dame Lucille's conduct in the public domain checks SO many of those boxes. Clearly, he has a burning resentment about the outcome of the 2021 season, and refuses to utter Max's name for fear of a phsychotic break. Not something one wants to do in public. So, it is a good management strategy for The Dame. Counting routines may also help.

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      • John Mitchell

        If you cannot say anything good about someone and call them pathetic names I would suggest you crawl back into your slimy hole for winter and stay there forever. Obviously you have a pathetic view on life and in your limited vocabulary can only use stupid names.

        Reply
  1. JoBlow

    Alonso is a big mouth I hate him he is an a hole. Hamilton deserve all his title he was the best 7 years point. Of course, Hamilton is much cleaner than Alonso as a driver and better on the track.

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  2. Nobodysperfect

    Well, I can remember Hamilton calling Max Verstappen "this guy" and he often talks about the Red Bulls are way to fast, but it was 9 out of 10 times only one of the Red Bull with some guy who's name is Max Verstappen in it...

    I hope Hamilton can up his game and show his skills on the track. Because he is still the only one who can make life really difficult for Verstappen.

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  3. Susan

    Hamilton is who he is. He is narcissistic, also self-absorbed. Only his opinions count, i.e. BLM etc. He brought his politics into a sport that was not needed. Attention-getting, even having Mercedes change the color of their livery.
    He did win 7 championships, no one says otherwise. A lack of real competition didn’t hurt. When will he ever get over losing at Abu Dhabi last year? He and Mercedes necessitated the firing of Michael Masi, refused to attend the end of year awards ceremony. Childish behavior. Then comes MV back with a vengeance winning a second WDC, early and break a record, winning more races in one season. Look at LH behavior, complains, whines all attention seeking behavior. MV sticks in LHs craw and won’t allow himself to get passed it. It may well be his undoing IMO.

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  4. CanadianEh

    Right on, Susan!

    When you mention "It may well be his undoing..." reminds me of a Bill Burr sketch where he describes what separates him from a psychopath: "Y'know, I'm driving along and glance over at a sidewalk full of people. Suddenly the thought occurs to me that I could be in the evening news if I simply jerked the wheel to the right for moment or two...".

    So, what's Dame Lucille's tipping point? Where does he suddenly and irrevocably go "over-center". Frankly, I hope to never find out.

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  5. smokey

    I am not a fan of Louise's, however, 2 seasons back I considered Max to suffer from being a narcissist because anything that went wrong was always someone else's fault and never his own. Since winning the WDC he is a changed man, and IMO his personality has improved immensely.
    It seems Max has undergone a brain transplant and given his old way of thinking to Louise. You are spot on Susan, Louise is too full of himself and needs to be brought down a peg or two. I hope George starts continually outperforming Louise, to give her something more to whinge about!

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  6. Ricky

    Go Max stick it to Louise on track at every chance you get! Love hearing her whining and moaning when it's not going her way. Just goes to show how unprofessional & unsportsmanlike she really is! Oh yeah and such a sore loser.

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  7. John Mitchell

    Hell there certainly are some very pathetic Red Bull fans but that is no surprise. The majority of F1 teams can race without cheating and foul play and don't need to abuse other teams and drivers.

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