Public statements by Jos Verstappen have caused significant turbulence within the Red Bull team. Lewis Hamilton [L] Max Verstappen [R] (Via IMAGO)
Jos Verstappen has been outspoken about internal power struggles at Red Bull and the controversies surrounding them recently. Following these incidents, several rumors have emerged, including speculation about a possible move to Mercedes. Now, seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton discusses the impact of Verstappen Sr.’s words on his son Max Verstappen.
Hamilton acknowledges that the drama involving team management and the drivers’ parents is not always beneficial and emphasizes the delicate balance that must be maintained. While the British driver refrains from commenting on the specific incident mentioned by Jos Verstappen, he explains that he does not have enough knowledge to provide an informed opinion.
Hamilton admits that he is unaware of the exact dynamics between the parties involved, but believes that Verstappen is a mature person and a champion in his own right. He states that Verstappen is capable of making his own decisions and advises drivers to carefully consider their choices, as not all will lead them in the right direction.
Lewis Hamilton faced another challenging day of practice in Saudi Arabia, encountering more issues with his Mercedes equipment. During Thursday’s session, he and his teammate Russell tried different setups, but Hamilton only managed to secure eighth place in FP2. Russell, on the other hand, made significant progress with the W15, finishing the session two tenths faster than Fernando Alonso.
After a near collision with Logan Sargeant, Hamilton became the target of an investigation by the stewards. The incident occurred when the Williams driver found Hamilton’s Mercedes moving slowly on the track at turn 11, forcing him to brake sharply. The FIA considered this a “serious high-speed accident”. Hamilton’s frustrating day came to an end when Mercedes was fined 15,000 euros (£12,800).
Hamilton received a warning for not alerting Sergeant of his presence. The British driver has been struggling with the performance of the W15 since the beginning of the season. Although he has occasionally made progress, his speed compared to Russell’s still leaves something to be desired. Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes will come to an end after the 2024 season.
