Recent comments from Lewis Hamilton, insinuating that Max Verstappen hasn’t had the caliber of teammates he has faced, didn’t go unnoticed by the Dutch racing sensation. Verstappen was quick to hit back, suggesting that perhaps Hamilton’s remarks are rooted in envy of Red Bull’s current dominance. The Dutchman’s stance is backed by the recent shift in the F1 pecking order. After Mercedes’ unprecedented streak of constructors’ championships, spanning from 2014 to 2021, it seems the tables have turned in favor of Red Bull Racing. This shift isn’t lost on Verstappen, who points out the challenge Mercedes is currently facing.

The Dutch champion’s message was clear: In the face of a slump, teams should focus on themselves and strive even harder. Verstappen seems to suggest that Hamilton might be feeling envious of Red Bull’s current wave of success, although the reasons behind such sentiments remain unclear.

Disregarding such comments, Max clearly believes they are of no consequence. Speaking to the media as quoted by Motorsport-Total.com, his advice for his British rival? To reflect inward and double down on efforts, “You also have to appreciate what other teams are doing. In the years when Mercedes dominated, we did that,” [translated via Google] he recalls. The Dutch racer observes the current challenge Mercedes is facing in light of their past dominance.

Max hints that sustained success might have made the current shift harder for them. It is true that Red Bull faced a terrible time from 2014 onwards when Hamilton & Mercedes dominated. Being part of that struggle up to the front, Verstappen understands what the Brackley team must be feeling right now. Still, F1 is a hardcore & unrelenting sport. Can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen!

Branding Mercedes as Sore Losers, Max Verstappen Takes Revenge for Lewis Hamilton’s Ugly Antics

However, amidst this exchange of words, Hamilton’s recent contract extension and his comments on Verstappen’s teammates have made a statement of intent. With the British champion renewing his commitment to Mercedes, he’s evidently geared up to challenge Red Bull’s newfound dominance head-on.

Lewis Hamilton reignites rivalry, comments on Max Verstappen and teammates; Rosberg responds

Lewis Hamilton, having recently inked a fresh two-year deal with Mercedes, has stated his intention to overtake Verstappen and Red Bull on the track. Off the track, however, Hamilton wasted no time in stoking the fires, expressing he’s “no more impressed” by Verstappen’s recent accomplishments than he has been by those of previous champions. Hamilton added that, at the peak of his career, he faced stronger competition from his own teammates than Verstappen did.

Reflecting on the talent he’s raced alongside, Hamilton elaborated, “In my personal opinion, Valtteri and all of my team-mates have been stronger than the team-mates that Max has had. Jenson (Button), Fernando (Alonso), George (Russell), Valtteri, Nico (Rosberg). I’ve had so many. These guys have all been very, very strong, very consistent and Max has not raced against anyone like that.” The statement holds weight, given Hamilton’s extensive history racing alongside three other world champions. Notably, Nico Rosberg remains the sole team-mate to have triumphed over Hamilton for a world championship when in identical machinery.

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Rosberg, currently 38, took to Sky Sports F1 to voice his opinions on Hamilton’s remarks. Although agreeing with the substance of Hamilton’s observations, Rosberg expressed his bewilderment at the unexpected direction of the comment. “It’s strange that Lewis does talk about that, like ‘my team-mates were better’. Where did that come from? [It’s] a bit strange,” he stated. Yet Rosberg did not dismiss Hamilton’s claims entirely. “But I do think he has a point. I mean he had three world champions as team-mates. That says a lot, doesn’t it? So I do think it’s correct.”

While these off-track debates will carry on as mind games to break each other mentally, Hamilton needs to catch up quick with Verstappen on track. After a 2nd year of not challenging his arch-rival, what do you think will the upcoming 2 years see a revival of this fabled rivalry?

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