In a year dominated by Max Verstappen‘s records and unparalleled performances, the off-track sporting drama appears to be just as electrifying as the on-track battles. Just when F1 fans thought they had seen the pinnacle of rivalry and banter, Max Verstappen delivers a fresh zinger. Toto Wolff dismissed Verstappen’s record-breaking 10 consecutive wins as “irrelevant,” relegating it to nothing more than a statistic for Wikipedia’s pages. However, in a brutal retort, Verstappen not only defended his streak but also took a cheeky swipe at one of the sport’s most decorated racers, the man synonymous with F1 dominance for almost a decade, the seven-time world champion. This insult, laden with controversy, has reignited the simmering rivalry.

Max Verstappen’s feat transcends mere statistics, symbolizing his dominance in a season where Red Bull has been nigh unstoppable, winning 24 out of 25 races since mid-2022. However, Toto Wolff downplayed the significance of Verstappen’s achievement. He argued that the context was different during Mercedes’ era, where internal rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg made such records elusive. Ever since Mercedes had its dominant run between 2014 and 2020, records and statistics have become a point of contention. Yet, even in their prime, no Mercedes driver ever eclipsed more than seven consecutive wins. Wolff’s dismissive tone and his quip, “I don’t know whether he [Verstappen] cares about the record… It’s for Wikipedia and nobody reads that anyway,” set the stage for a verbal showdown. But Verstappen cares.

And Verstappen was not one to let it slide. His response was swift and unapologetic. In a media interaction after the race, Verstappen dared to challenge the record books. While discussing Lewis Hamilton’s impressive championship record, Verstappen referred to him as a 6-time world champion. When a journalist corrected him, pointing out, “It is seven. It’s in the history books. You can look it up.” Verstappen smirked with a retort, “I mean, I’m not very sure. I don’t read Wikipedia.” Verstappen’s dig at Hamilton’s championship tally didn’t just raise eyebrows; it added another layer of intrigue as it highlighted the audacity and intensity of his retort.

Read more: Frustration of Failing to Fight Max Verstappen for F1 Title Tipped to Force “Dispirited” Lewis Hamilton Into “Careless” Mistake

Verstappen’s statement underlined his determination to let his performance on the track do the talking. As we continue to witness Verstappen’s remarkable dominance and Mercedes striving to regain its footing, this war of words is bound to intensify. But since we are discussing championships, it’s worth taking a brief look back at the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, a race that had the potential to make Lewis Hamilton an 8-time world champion.

How did Lewis Hamilton miss out on his eighth Drivers Championship?

In the closing stages of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, F1 witnessed a championship showdown that would be etched in the sport’s history. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were poised for an epic battle for the championship. However, the race was marred by controversy and confusion as race director Michael Masi‘s decisions came under intense scrutiny. The FIA’s full report on the events of that fateful day confirmed what many had suspected: ‘human error’ played a role in the outcome.

Masi’s handling of the late Safety Car period and the decision to allow one final racing lap were found to have contravened F1 regulations, changing the course of the race dramatically. As the report revealed, Lewis Hamilton was just moments away from securing his eighth world championship. The controversial decision to allow Verstappen the opportunity to attack and overtake him on that final lap altered the championship outcome. Hamilton’s claims of the race being ‘manipulated’ were put to rest by the FIA. But the lingering question remains: What if ‘human error’ had not intervened?

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What do you think? Would Lewis Hamilton have been celebrating his eighth championship if not for those pivotal decisions, or was it destined to be Max Verstappen’s year?