{"id":92372,"date":"2023-09-03T22:31:18","date_gmt":"2023-09-03T22:31:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/?p=92372"},"modified":"2023-09-03T22:31:18","modified_gmt":"2023-09-03T22:31:18","slug":"max-verstappen-bites-back-at-jealous-lewis-hamilton-in-spat-before-italian-gp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/racing\/max-verstappen-bites-back-at-jealous-lewis-hamilton-in-spat-before-italian-gp\/","title":{"rendered":"Max Verstappen bites back at ‘jealous’ Lewis Hamilton in spat before Italian GP"},"content":{"rendered":"
  • Bookmark<\/span><\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Offbeat news from the world of sport<\/p>\n

    Thank you for subscribing!<\/h2>\n

    Offbeat news from the world of sport<\/p>\n

    We have more newsletters<\/p>\n

    Formula One world champion Max Verstappen has bitten back at Lewis Hamilton\u2019s comments, claiming the seven-time champion is \u2018jealous\u2019 at his recent dominance.<\/p>\n

    The Mercedes driver took aim at his former foe ahead of the Monza GP, as he playing down Verstappen\u2019s success over the last two years that as seen him win back-to-back world championships and open a 138 point lead at the top of the 2023 standings.<\/p>\n

    Hamilton suggested that Verstappen\u2019s achievements are nothing special, claiming that the Red Bull champion has had an easier ride.<\/p>\n

    Hamilton said: "I'm no more impressed than when Michael [Schumacher] was leading, when Sebastian [Vettel] was leading when Kimi [Raikkonen] was driving, when Fernando [Alonso] was winning \u2013 it's just the same," the seven-time world champion said when asked about Verstappen's accomplishments.<\/p>\n

    READ MORE: Ferrari F1 chief\u2019s explosive rant on live TV forces Sky Sports to apologise <\/b><\/p>\n

    "In my personal opinion, all my team-mates have been stronger than the team-mates Max has had \u2013 Jenson [Button], Fernando, George [Russell], Valtteri [Bottas], Nico [Rosberg]. I've had so many. These guys have all been very, very strong, very consistent \u2013 and Max has not raced against anyone like that."<\/p>\n

    Verstappen was asked on his reaction to Hamilton\u2019s war of words in Monza ahead of this weekend\u2019s Grand Prix. And the Dutchman snapped back at both Hamilton and Mercedes, suggesting they\u2019re sore losers.<\/p>\n

    Who do you think will win the Monza GP? Let us know in the comments section.<\/i> <\/b><\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n


    <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

    He said: "Maybe he's a little jealous of my current success.<\/p>\n

    "This kind of statement… he possibly thinks he's winning something with that, but it makes no difference to me. I think Mercedes have a very hard time dealing with losing, after all these years of winning so much.<\/p>\n

    "At some point, you have to be realistic and then you have to be able to appreciate what other teams are doing. We did the same when they were dominant and we also said, 'We have to work harder because we are not good enough'. You can keep shouting and screaming that what we do is not that special… you just have to deal with yourself."<\/p>\n

    Sky Sports pundit and former F1 racer Martin Brundle revealed he was surprised by Hamilton\u2019s words, he said: \u201cThat's Lewis' opinion and he very firmly put it out there.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    \u201cHe's not going to give Max an ounce of oxygen, or anything, to pick him up. I'm surprised just how hard he was.<\/p>\n

    "Of course, Lewis has had strong team-mates but I wouldn't write off the likes of Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez, who Max has had alongside him. They are world-class racing drivers. Lewis just doesn't want to give anything away, does he?"<\/p>\n

    "To win at the rate Lewis has done, 103 victories, and the rate Max is, and to keep the mental aspect going every week in different tracks and weather conditions, is extraordinary. You can't be anything other than incredibly impressed by what Verstappen is doing. How many points has Perez scored in that time?"<\/p>\n