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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 12: Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing speaks with third placed qualifier Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 12: Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing speaks with third placed qualifier Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
The Internet is a wild, wild place where nothing ever really dies. The rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen seems to have cooled down on the track. But their respective fans seem to have been carrying the heat developed over the past six years or so and won’t be letting it die anytime soon. It is very evident from the recent war that was triggered between the fans when Max Verstappen was chosen for the cover of F1 23.
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The Dutch driver’s fans were quick to celebrate the news on Twitter after the announcement was made yesterday. However, things got heated between the Orange army and the LH army as the latter retaliated to the news with comments against Verstappen. What happened next was quite predictable. The orange army came out and attacked the Lewis Hamilton fans ruthlessly with befitting replies.
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44 Lewis Hamilton GBR, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, 1 Max Verstappen NLD, Oracle Red Bull Racing, F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 23, 2022 in Austin, United States of America. Photo by Carl Bingham/Motorsport Images/DPPI via HOCH ZWEI Austin United States of America *** 44 Lewis Hamilton GBR, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team , 1 Max Verstappen NLD, Oracle Red Bull Racing , F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 23, 2022 in Austin, United States of America Photo by Carl Bingham Motorsport Images DPPI via HOCH ZWEI Austin United States of America
The comments were made back and forth as both fandoms tried to prove their favorite was superior to the other. While Lewis’s fans were reminiscing over the time when the Briton was on the cover alongside Sebastian Vettel, Max’s fans pointed out that the championship holder was simply the most marketable face on the grid.
The war between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton fans extends
Just as we think the normalcy between the two drivers will calm the fans down, it spikes up for one reason or another. While the cover reveal isn’t official yet, the anger and happiness certainly are.
The champion of the sport is ALWAYS going to be marketable
— Emanu (@sandia_oreo) April 28, 2023
— adit¹ (@aditxutd) April 27, 2023
no, here's a real cover pic.twitter.com/JSTrxcZO18
— aisling (@am_aisling) April 27, 2023
Forbes Monaco? How interesting.
I'll take the game.
— Rose K🦁🧡 (@RoseK24206400) April 27, 2023
Probably next year it’s gonna be Nando and Max. It’s gonna be epic to watch these babies cry more 🤸🏾♂️ https://t.co/yhLA8dXhp8
— 🅱️ A V 🏳️🌈| #2TheMax (@whambulance_) April 28, 2023
What has max acc done wrong? Good hard racer. Doesn’t look for the spotlight (like Lewis). And he’s an admirable human. Everyone loves senna when he is a much worse human than max and a much dirtier driver than max?
— Mashers (@matt_ashley85) April 28, 2023
Max Verstappen’s fans were much more aggressive on the keyboard than the driver was on the track. The Dutchman was defended as the face of the sport as he continues to rise in it.
Hamilton at 25 was only used for advertising before and after pictures of hair transplant https://t.co/eWwFC9YWXw
— Hank¹😶🌫️ (@pitlimiteron) April 27, 2023
Max was in plenty magazines covers and he doesn’t pay for it 😂😂😂🤭🤭🤭🤡
— F1 is finally back to life 🏆🇳🇱🇲🇽🇦🇹🇬🇧 (@NSc1404) April 28, 2023
Forbes cover featuring frauds? I agree pic.twitter.com/tIWcwDXFFV
— HEISEN (@zqngrandprix) April 28, 2023
Still living in the past… 🤦🏼♂️
— ieveau'ke (@ipm80) April 28, 2023
Lewis Hamilton’s fans overall are possibly having a hard time seeing the downfall of their hero as the car doesn’t allow him to lead. After a decade of dominance, they should rather protect the legacy than taint it by engaging in spiteful battles on social media.
WATCH THIS STORY: Bromance moments between Max Verstappen & Lewis Hamilton
Being the defending champion, Max Verstappen has almost completed the transition to becoming the face of the sport. For Lewis Hamilton, this was bound to happen, but not in the manner it actually did.
Written by
Edited by
Varunkumaar Chelladurai