Max Verstappen unhappy with unsavoury side to Hamilton and Mercedes

Verstappen in Abu Dhabi — Photo: © LAT Images

Max Verstappen

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Verstappen unhappy with unsavoury side to Hamilton and Mercedes

Red Bull driver has received support from Tyson Fury and Bernie Ecclestone

Ian Parkes

Friday 10 December 2021 05:00

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Max Verstappen has revised his opinion of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes following the incidents that have unfolded across this dramatic F1 season.

Ahead of their title showdown in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, Verstappen decided to open up on the "unfair" treatment he feels he has received from the FIA stewards of late.

The Red Bull driver has also criticised his championship rival and those at Mercedes for a change in attitude that has caught him by surprise.

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Verstappen has felt aggrieved since his incident with Hamilton in the British Grand Prix when he was sent into a barrier at 150mph, with an impact of 51g.

Hamilton went on to win the race, with the home hero and his team celebrating while the Dutchman was in hospital undergoing checks.

Asked whether he had changed his opinion of Hamilton and Mercedes this year and whether he had seen a different side to them, Verstappen said: "Yes, very much, and not in a positive way."

Verstappen has this week received support from heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury and former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Fury suggested Verstappen had been made out to be "a bad boy" in the wake of what unfolded in Sunday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and called on his critics to "give him a bit of a break".

Questioned on whether he felt he was being unfairly treated, Verstappen replied: "At the end of the day, criticism is always there.

"From my side, what's unfair is that I'm treated differently from other drivers. Clearly, other drivers can get away with things and I can't, and that's a bit of a problem here."

Ecclestone, meanwhile, suggested Verstappen was being 'bullied' by Hamilton and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff who have been playing a "psychological game".

Responding to Ecclestone's opinion, Verstappen added: "He clearly feels something's not right.

"I don't experience it as bullying but what's going on is not correct."