Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton has stated he ‘isn’t fazed’ by feeling as if he’s a goal for Max Verstappen on-track.
Lewis Hamilton has stated he has no issues about feeling like ‘a goal’ for Max Verstappen, following their late season conflict in Brazil.
With Verstappen spending most of 2022 racing Charles Leclerc on the entrance, or racing out on his personal within the lead, it meant treasured few racing alternatives between Hamilton and his 2021 title rival.
One such alternative did current itself late within the season, in Brazil, with Verstappen trying a transfer up the within of Flip 2 at Interlagos – a transfer that resulted in a conflict between the pair and a time penalty for the reigning Champion.
With Hamilton happening to complete second, the seven-time World Champion stated he has ‘no issues’ concerning the racing requirements between himself and Verstappen and that: “I feel it’s pure when you’ve gotten the success and the numbers in your chest, that you simply turn into a little bit of a goal.
“Nevertheless it’s OK. It’s nothing that I’ve not handled earlier than.”
Lewis Hamilton: Take heed to what ‘sure people’ say about me
Hamilton elaborated on his present relationship with Verstappen as he spoke with Channel 4 on the conclusion of the season, with the Mercedes man being requested about his feedback about feeling as if he’s a goal for the Dutch driver.
“All you need to do is hearken to the phrases that sure people say about me, after which additionally simply look again on the approach these people behave on monitor round me,” he stated.
“It sort of exhibits you that’s, most frequently, a little bit bit totally different to others.
“A part of it’s, I’m certain, to do with the time that I’ve had right here, the expertise I’ve had right here, the success I’ve had right here.”
Lewis Hamilton jokes: Not simple adjusting to ‘massive ugly no 1’!
Having spent 2021 locked in battle with the Pink Bull driver, Hamilton was unable to hitch within the title battle in 2022 as Mercedes’ W13 proved a much less aggressive machine – that means he was left watching on as Verstappen romped his technique to a second consecutive title and a record-breaking season.
Requested about how tough this had been to regulate to after such a closely-fought 2021, Hamilton joked: “It was positively not simple, I feel. It’s extra the large ugly no 1, it’s as massive as you’ll be able to put it on the automotive!”
Hamilton was referring to Verstappen’s private option to race with the #1 on his automotive in 2022, an exemption made for a reigning World Champion who can select between their typical profession quantity or the coveted 1. Hamilton has needed to make that call on a number of events because the rule was launched in 2014, all the time electing to proceed along with his typical quantity 44 – Verstappen selecting the other.
Hamilton hinted that he felt some feedback put out within the media are meant as an try and rattle him or get below his pores and skin, makes an attempt he vows are futile.
“I’m not likely fazed by any of this stuff as a lot as I feel some folks wish to suppose that…” he stated.
“Possibly they’ll say issues or will do issues hoping for a response, however I’m actually simply chilled. Like I don’t actually care about these issues.”
Learn Extra: ‘Lewis Hamilton may match Max Verstappen’s insane stage in the identical automotive’