Verstappen and Hamilton during Hungarian GP press conference — Photo: © LAT Images

Nico Rosberg

6 reacties

Hamilton shrug a "position of strength" over Verstappen outburst - Rosberg

Verstappen exploded in the post-qualifying press conference ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix

Ewan Gale

Monday 9 August 2021 18:33

Former F1 champion Nico Rosberg believes the calm reaction shown by Lewis Hamilton during Max Verstappen's Hungarian Grand Prix outburst proves a "position of strength".

Following the title combatants Silverstone collision, both drivers faced a grilling on the topic in the lead up to the Hungarian Grand Prix.

After qualifying, the drivers were asked what their mindset would be heading to turn one to which Verstappen snapped: "Can we just already stop about this! We've had so many ******* questions about this. It's just ridiculous."

Article continues under video

Seven-time champion Hamilton simply shrugged his shoulders in response, something Rosberg sees as a telling sign in the championship battle.

"I would say if you look at the grand scheme of things, Mercedes are having the upper hand now in everything, in pace, in posture, in attitude, everything," Rosberg told Sky Sports F1.

"Max Verstappen, we saw him in the press conference losing his cool, really shouting a little bit at the journalists and that really plays into Mercedes' hands at the moment.

"[Lewis] is very smart. He knows how to deal with all the situations that are thrown at him.

"He is very smart at saying the right things in the press. Verstappen lost his cool when it was a journalist asking if they were going to collide again at turn one.

"Verstappen was shouting and Lewis just did a shrug of the shoulders and it was a position of strength from him."

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 2026 Merch: Where to buy ALL teamwear including new Lewis Hamilton Ferrari kit, McLaren latest and more

1 hour ago

F1 Australian Grand Prix Tickets: The full guide to 2026 prices and how to buy for 2027

2 hours ago

Made in Australia, majestic in Monaco: The dress that stole F1's wedding of the year

2 hours ago

‘Almost don’t want to drive’: Max Verstappen is ‘emotionally drained’ by F1’s new 2026 cars

2 hours ago

F1 2026 Australian Grand Prix starting grid with penalties applied

3 hours ago

Australian Grand Prix EIGHT-CAR pileup sends F1 and FIA a major Melbourne warning