Max Verstappen hints at divide with fellow F1 drivers after Lewis Hamilton dig
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton had very different opinions heading into the race weekend in Las Vegas.
Max Verstappen has insisted that some unnamed drivers are deliberately going against his opinions after his strong criticisms of the Las Vegas Grand Prix organisation ahead of the race. Long-time rival Lewis Hamilton was one of the most vocal supporters of the prospect of racing in Sin City.
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Verstappen has been punchy in his criticism of the first Las Vegas race in 41 years, insisting that F1 is only there for the show while also making clear his distaste for the track layout, which he labelled as boring and not challenging.
However, some of his rivals were much more supportive of F1 and Liberty Media’s efforts. Discussing the inaugural Las Vegas GP with Sky Sports F1 after the race, Hamilton said: “I don’t know how it was as a spectacle for people to watch, but there was so much overtaking. It was like Baku, but better.
“I really wasn’t expecting the track to be so great, but the more and more laps you did I just really loved racing it. Lots of great overtaking opportunities and I think for all those that were so negative about the weekend, saying it’s all about show blah blah blah, I think Vegas proved them wrong.”
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This wasn’t the first time that Hamilton called out Verstappen’s comments and negativity throughout the weekend. The seven-time world champion had previously urged fans and other drivers to at least give the circuit a chance before writing the event off as a failure.
Despite this opposition from Hamilton’s corner, the reigning champion remains convinced that some of his rivals share his views. “Some drivers do,” he told Viaplay. “But I think some find it fun to say the opposite of what I say. I’m not gonna drop names, but yeah…”
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Verstappen may have been unwavering in his criticism of the event before the lights went out, but it was a different story after the chequered flag had waved. The Dutchman pipped polesitter Charles Leclerc and team-mate Sergio Perez to the top step of the podium and enjoyed himself in the process.
Speaking about his evening on the Las Vegas tarmac he said: “The DRS around here was very powerful. Even when you would take the lead if the guy behind stays in the DRS, he would still have the opportunity to come back to you, so it created a lot of good racing today. Definitely a lot of fun."
