In anticipation of the upcoming British Grand Prix, Max Verstappen has opened up about his true feelings towards Lewis Hamilton.
The Red Bull driver emphasised his “lot of respect” for Hamilton and stated that he has let go of any animosity between them.
Verstappen delved into his former title rival’s experience of being booed by British fans at Silverstone, as the Dutchman himself has faced a mixed reception from the crowd.
Despite being somewhat of a pantomime villain, particularly as he cruises towards a third successive world title, Verstappen remains unfazed.
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In an interview with The Mail, Verstappen expressed his perspective, saying, “Luckily I sit in a car, I have a helmet on and go at 200mph, so it makes no difference.
“I have a lot of British friends and people I know, and not everyone wants to boo me.
“I have a lot of respect for Lewis. We are both racing drivers, and you let the animosity go.”
The intense rivalry between Verstappen and Hamilton reached its boiling point during the 2021 season, culminating in a controversial climax at the Abu Dhabi GP.
However, the duo appears to have put their differences aside, as they have been seen engaging in post-race debriefs and friendly conversations.
One of the memorable flashpoints between them occurred at Silverstone two years ago when they collided at Copse corner.
Verstappen suffered a high-speed crash into the barrier, experiencing a horrifying 51G impact.
After clinching the title in 2021, Verstappen acknowledged the moments of animosity between him and Hamilton throughout the season.
However, with Red Bull dominating this season, their relationship seems to have evolved.
Meanwhile, Mercedes has been struggling to find their rhythm, with the Silver Arrows engaged in a battle with Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin for the runners-up position.
Hamilton attempted to address the situation ahead of the 2023 season, dismissing any perceived issues between them as mere “fairytales.”
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In an interview with Formula 1 Magazine, Hamilton stated, “People like to talk about there being problems between Max and me… I respect him.
“He is a lot younger, so maybe he has a problem with me.
“But I am not sure about that, and I actually assume not. Although I can’t speak for him.”