Verstappen relishing 'respectful' title rivalry after fierce Hamilton battle
Verstappen relishing 'respectful' title rivalry after fierce Hamilton battle
Max Verstappen has revealed there is 'more respect' in his F1 title battle with Charles Leclerc than in last year's fierce rivalry with Lewis Hamilton.
The Dutchman's rivalry with Hamilton in 2021 overshadowed all else in the season with controversy both on and off the track.
But this year's competition has been a far more respectful battle, as Verstappen described when speaking to Sky Italia ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
"I prefer what we have now because first of all, Charles, I know very well. He is a nice guy," said Verstappen.
"We are a similar age, I think we are only three weeks apart, and also I think we are fighting a very well respected competitor in terms of Ferrari.
"The way they go about [the battle], the way we are fighting - if they win a race, we can go to them and say 'well done' and if we win a race, they can come to us and say 'well done'.
"I really respect that and also certain people within the team, and even Mattia [Binotto], I have a really good relationship with him.
"On Saturday night, we even had a laugh in Paul Ricard and that is great because that is what racing should be about. We are hard competitors on the track and will always try to beat each other which I think is very normal, but outside of it, you can have a good time as well.
"That's what I have really enjoyed about this year."
Leaving Hungary, Verstappen held an 80-point lead in the drivers' race with Red Bull heading Ferrari in the constructors' standings by 97.
The margin between the Red Bull driver and Leclerc is far greater than at any time last year, something that could add to Verstappen's comfort in the rivalry.
Asked if the respect and off-track relaxed rivalry was something that he had missed last term, Verstappen added: "Let's say it like this, I would not be on a table on Saturday night having a laugh [with Mercedes].
"The clique we have at the moment, just in general, I have a lot of respect for Ferrari and it is nice."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 team lodge FIA PROTEST over Chinese Grand Prix qualifying result
- 9 minutes ago
Hamilton in 's*** happens' outburst after huge China failure
- 39 minutes ago
F1 News Today: Alonso hit with China PENALTY as Hamilton endures Shanghai nightmare
- 52 minutes ago
F1 star PENALISED following controversial Chinese GP incident
- 1 hour ago
F1 Qualifying Results: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 times - 100th Red Bull pole as Hamilton crashes out in Q1
- 2 hours ago
Hamilton suffers CATASTROPHIC F1 qualifying after early exit
- 2 hours ago
Related news
F1 team announces 2026 title bid in BLOW to Red Bull
Wolff 'p*****' by Verstappen error as star makes Mercedes debut
Driver suggests Newey tempted by 'enticing' offer from F1 rivals
Red Bull boss Horner SHUTS DOWN F1 rival Wolff's title talk
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860