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Max Verstappen Wittily Responds to Backlash for 2021 Championship Win

Published 01/19/2022, 2:48 AM EST

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via Reuters

Max Verstappen has been on the receiving end of hate for his controversial title gain. Although the driver isn’t one to usually react to the negativity thrown on him online, Verstappen reacted hilariously to a comment he received on his Le Mans Virtual run.

Last weekend, Verstappen represented team Redline for the Le Mans Virtual event. After a stunning start that gave him the lead of the race, Verstappen eventually crashed out of the event. As a part of his e-sports hobby, the driver is also active on discord; on the platform, Verstappen retaliated to a Lewis Hamilton fan most comically.

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The fan was Bradley Philpot, who often condemned Verstappen on his Twitter feed. Clearly displeased with the championship result, Philpot had posted: “remember that because of what happened at Abu Dhabi, we get to enjoy every time Max *doesn’t* win a championship that *little* bit more deeply. I am now happy whoever wins as long as it’s not Max / Horner / Red Bull.”

Despite his hatred towards the Dutchman, he thought it to be smart to invite Verstappen to the virtual twelve hours of the Nurburgring on Discord; and Verstappen responded by sharing his previous tweet.

Max Verstappen on hate towards Lewis Hamilton

While the fans on either side passionately defend their drivers, there are times when the comment sessions of either driver are filled with hate comments. Debates are often sparked on Twitter, where the cavalry from either side is prepared for war.

However, such hatred was never visible with the championship contenders; even if it was, Verstappen believed that the respect always outweighed the feeling of contempt. After the season came to an end, Verstappen had shed light on his rivalry with Hamilton.

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via Reuters

“You look each other in the eye. You don’t say a lot but you do relate a lot and you really appreciate the fight. Sometimes we did hate each other, but that’s fine. That’s the competitive spirit of both of us. He is an incredible driver.”

Additionally, Verstappen also talked about Hamilton coming to see him after the race in Abu Dhabi. “What was nice was that immediately after the race, he came up to me. We had our moments throughout the year when we clashed but we really respect each other.”

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As the drivers continue to respect each other, hopefully, the wildfire of hate on Twitter will eventually die down.

Watch this story: Biggest Crashes From 2020 Featuring Leclerc, Vettel & Grosjean

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Written by:

Shreya Sanjeev

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Shreya Sanjeev is an F1 author at EssentiallySports. Having attained a journalism degree from St Xavier's College, she finds comfort in the sound of her keyboard while typing and excitement in the sound of F1 cars speeding on a track. A street circuit and Daniel Ricciardo fan through and through, Shreya claims the 2018 Monaco GP to be one of her favorite races of all time.
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