Verstappen Claps Back at Hamilton's World Champ Jab

Verstappen dismisses Hamilton’s critique, emphasizing his indifference to the racing legend’s views.

Max Verstappen, told by Lewis Hamilton that he should “act like a world champion” with his team and on the radio, replied that the seven-time world champion was entitled to his opinion.

Verstappen faced criticism during the Hungarian Grand Prix when the three-time world champion called on his team “to wake up” regarding the RB20’s performance, and later unleashed on the radio against the Red Bull pit wall to express his frustration.

A late-race incident with Hamilton was the latest in a Grand Prix where the Dutchman wasn’t finished, as he later told his critics they could “go fuck themselves.”

Hamilton was asked about his rival’s antics and said at Spa: “You have to be a team leader, a team member. Maybe not so much a team leader, but always remember that you are a teammate to many people and that you must behave like a world champion.”

Asked what he meant by behaving like a world champion, the Mercedes driver laughed and replied: “That’s a good question. Not like what he did last weekend.”

Verstappen dismissed Hamilton’s comment when asked for his response.

“You know how it is, everyone is entitled to their opinion. That’s fine, but there’s nothing I can do about it. That’s it.”

“And his opinion, it’s not my problem either. You don’t need to dwell on it too long. Everything is settled with the team and we’ve just moved on.”

Asked whether his critique of Red Bull was part of his tactic to get the best, he answered: “For me, that’s the case, at least.”

“Everyone has their own opinion, of course, and everyone does their thing. I go home, I do my thing. It was nice to spend some time in Monaco too before coming to Spa.”