Lewis Hamilton ‘respects’ rival Max Verstappen and insisted ‘nobody can take it away from him’ in reference to the 2021 title.
Verstappen is arguably the hardest opponent Hamilton has confronted in his 16-year Components 1 profession, with the 2 staging a title bout for the ages in 2021.
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The pair went wheel-to-wheel and traded paintwork on an unprecedented variety of events for title rivals, and had been inseparable, heading into the Abu Dhabi finale stage on factors.
An extremely controversial security automobile name determined the championship in Verstappen’s favour, however regardless of the depth of their bout, the 2 remained very cordial out of the automobile.
Final season, Verstappen eased to a second title with Hamilton’s Mercedes effectively off the tempo. Nevertheless, the one race they had been on the identical tarmac, in Brazil, they collided but once more.
That has seen each drivers questioned if it’s private between them, however the Brit insists it isn’t.
“Individuals like to speak about there being issues between Max and me,” Hamilton informed Components One Journal. “I respect him.
“Not less than, he’s lots youthful, so perhaps he has an issue with me.
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“However I’m not positive about that and I truly assume not. Though I can’t converse for him.”
Reflecting on 2021, Hamilton was once more magnanimous, having congratulated Verstappen within the pitlane after Abu Dhabi, regardless of narrowly dropping out on a record-breaking eighth world title.
Hamilton mentioned: “He did every thing he needed to do in 2021, so why ought to I’ve an issue with him?
“He carried out and delivered each weekend, no one can take that away from him.”
Because of their flashpoint in Sao Paulo in November final 12 months, Verstappen was unsurprisingly additionally requested why the 2 appear to tangle greater than some other rivals.
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The 25-year-old was mystified as to why it’s totally different, however agreed together with his 38-year-old rival’s rationalization in regards to the generational distinction, and in addition confirmed his respect.
“I’ve to watch out what I’m saying right here,” he informed Autosport. “However with everybody I’ve been combating this 12 months, it’s been actually exhausting, aggressive battles.
“And we by no means actually got here collectively. One way or the other, with Lewis it’s a special story.
“And I truthfully don’t perceive. Like, this 12 months, OK we haven’t actually had plenty of battles, however Brazil we acquired collectively. It was not my intention. I acquired the blame for it, which I didn’t discover honest. If it could’ve been extra of a racing incident, that I might stay with.
“I don’t perceive. Perhaps it’s only a era factor [with Charles Leclerc and George Russell] – that we perceive one another higher, we’re racing nicer to one another.
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“I don’t get it. However I don’t really feel like I’m doing something totally different to Lewis or to the opposite drivers when it comes to how we’re racing.
“In England this may in a short time be obtained as criticism. After which I’m being known as out on it.
“I at all times I respect Lewis lots for what he has achieved within the sport, however that’s why I don’t actually perceive why we can’t actually race like I’ve been doing with the others.
“After all, everyone seems to be totally different of their method. I do know that Charles is a bit totally different to George, or to Carlos [Sainz] or to Checo [Perez], or whoever.”
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