Max Verstappen has lifted the lid on his fierce Formula 1 rivalry with Lewis Hamilton and how it has followed off track.
The pair are seen as arguably the best drivers in the sport and were engaged in one of the most fiery and memorable championship battles during the 2021 season.
Since then the rivalry has naturally simmered to an extent, with Verstappen winning another two world championships in a much more dominant fashion and Hamilton not being able to win a race.
While Verstappen and Hamilton have never pretended to be the best of friends, following many on-track clashes and close-calls between them, Verstappen has admitted that off the track there is a much cooler vibe.
Max Verstappen (right) claims he has a normal relationship with F1 rival Lewis Hamilton (left)Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton battled fiercely for the 2021 world championshipLewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, battling in 2023 above, have rarely fought on track since 2021
Verstappen reveals 'normal' Hamilton relationship
“I don’t need that kind of rivalry,” he told The Times.
“Of course we want to beat each other, but honestly, once we’re in a private setting it’s like just normal guys.”