Hamilton Verstappen controversy "not good" for F1 - MotoGP boss

Change your timezone:
Hamilton Verstappen controversy "not good" for F1 - MotoGP boss
Carmelo Ezpeleta would not want a repeat for his series
MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta feels the "controversies" surrounding Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen last season were "not good" for F1.
Ezpeleta, who is the CEO of Dorna that has the exclusive commercial and TV rights to MotoGP, also insists he would not wish for such unsavoury drama for his series.
While the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is now almost two months ago, the debates continue regarding the controversial ending when Max Verstappen netted the title on the last lap from Lewis Hamilton following decisions made by FIA race director Michael Masi.
MotoGP has had its contentious moments, such as with Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez in 2015, but not to the extent between Hamilton and Verstappen last year.
Suggested to Ezpeleta such a title showdown was a dream for any championship, speaking to Spanish sports daily Marca, he replied: "Me, no.
"I would not like to have a finish in MotoGP like the one in F1. I wish for two drivers fighting for the title in the last race, but the way the whole thing played out...
"I'm not for or against anything. It was a fantastic championship, fought throughout the year but in the end, there were controversies that were not good.
"I like to have a championship, if possible, disputed until the very end. But I don't like that after the end they created doubt, that the runner-up [Hamilton] doesn't talk anymore. I certainly don't dream about that.
"Although everyone was very happy from the point of view of the media impact with the 2015 mess between Rossi and Marquez, I don't dream about those things."
Related
More F1 news
Latest F1 news
Recommended by the editors
F1 Stories
Danica Patrick and the new American team granted entry to join F1
Latest F1 News
Red Bull 'offer to remove Max Verstappen F1 exit clause' prompts incredible Jos Verstappen reaction
F1 News & Gossip
Fernando Alonso brutally mocked by Lewis Hamilton: 'Why are you so slow?'
Latest F1 News
FIA steward admits Max Verstappen makes it hard to be punished: 'He challenges us'

Change your timezone:
Latest News
Red Bull avoid Max Verstappen repeat as F1 star 'blocked' from GT racing
- 2 hours ago
F1 star claims Lewis Hamilton success at Ferrari 'not ideal'
- 2 hours ago
Max Verstappen urged to reunite with Adrian Newey at Aston Martin by F1 insider
- 3 hours ago
Danica Patrick and the new American team granted entry to join F1
- Yesterday 20:57
Red Bull 'offer to remove Max Verstappen F1 exit clause' prompts incredible Jos Verstappen reaction
- Yesterday 19:45
Fernando Alonso brutally mocked by Lewis Hamilton: 'Why are you so slow?'
- Yesterday 18:45
Most read
Max Verstappen signs deal with McLaren - but there’s a twist
- 16 july
Red Bull make decision on $3bn sale of F1 team
- 21 july
Kimi Antonelli is being sued by former manager with links to iconic F1 team
- 27 july
FIA announce Lewis Hamilton penalty verdict at Belgian Grand Prix
- 17 july
Aston Martin F1 owner Lawrence Stroll sends message to team after breakthrough weekend
- 26 july
F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton skips drivers meeting as F1 champion hit with penalty verdict
- 26 july
Related news
F1's 'sad' rule changes could deliver Lewis Hamilton's eighth title...if Ferrari can shed loser gene
Lewis Hamilton's crisis of confidence spoiling 'fairytale' at Ferrari
F1 News Today: Christian Horner faces fresh criticism as FIA expose ‘secretive’ teams approach
How Lewis Hamilton's retirement could work in F1's favour
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Lewis Hamilton
- Charles Leclerc
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Franco Colapinto
- Pierre Gasly
- Isack Hadjar
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Carlos Sainz
- Kimi Antonelli
- George Russell
- Oliver Bearman
- Esteban Ocon
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Liam Lawson
- Arvid Lindblad
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Valtteri Bottas
- Sergio Pérez
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page
Realtimes Network
- Authors
- Privacy and Terms
- RSS
- Contact
- Advertise
- Android
- iOS
- Publishing principles
- Corrections policy
- Ownership & funding
- F1 Tickets
- Privacy
Copyright (©) 2017 - 2026 GPFans.com
Realtimes Network












