Lewis Hamilton: There is 'respect' between me and Max Verstappen, but there are no friends on the track

Published 11/03/2022 at 12:56 GMT

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton lost his Formula 1 crown in a dramatic finale in the 2021 season, with Max Verstappen usurping him with a controversial victory. While they battled hard and often appeared at odds, Hamilton said that there is a mutual respect between the two drivers despite the lack of 'friends on the track'.

Lewis Hamilton is set to once again line up against arch-rival Max Verstappen in the 2022 season

Image credit: Getty Images

Deposed Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton says that there is a mutual "respect" with current title holder Max Verstappen.

Verstappen unseated Mercedes driver Hamilton on the last lap of the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi. The 2021 campaign was one of the most fraught, controversial and dramatic in recent memory and the bitter disappointment of defeat led to speculation that Hamilton might retire from the sport.

Instead, he is back at testing ahead of the season-opening race in Bahrain on March 20, with Verstappen also in action.

Bahrain Grand Prix

Hamilton describes shock Ferrari move as 'hardest decision I've ever had to make'

23/02/2024 at 15:35

While the pair inevitably found things tense at times last season, Hamilton told Sky Sports that he tries to avoid social media to keep his mood level, and has no fundamental problem with his Red Bull rival.

“There’s so many nice comments, and then there’s trolling,” he said of last season. “If I’d read the comments after Silverstone, the racial abuse, I could have downward spiralled into a negative place. I don't let that volatile medium control myself.

“You’ve got to be careful because obviously the way the media hype up the drama, also creates a narrative to the fans, and for me and Max.

“We see each other in the paddocks, things are normal, we’re two drivers, pretty much like you, we have a sense of how much we like driving. On the other side, we’re ruthless, that’s what you have to be, in business, hopefully with a bit of compassion.

“We’re fighters, there’s no friends on the track, and so it’s a constant... some days we get it right, sometimes we get it wrong, but it’s important we keep respect.”

Formula 1

Verstappen says Hamilton could face 'awkward, weird' last season with Mercedes

15/02/2024 at 23:54

Season 2024

'Emotional' Hamilton determined for success ahead of Ferrari move as Mercedes launch new car

14/02/2024 at 17:32

Formula 1

Alonso: Hamilton's switch to Ferrari can bring 'extra to fight for championship'

12/02/2024 at 13:27

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me