Former F1 world champion Nico Rosberg has felt it necessary to clear the air and put an end to the rift that was thought to have developed between him and Max Verstappen following the race in Portugal. The Dutchman had not taken too kindly to Rosberg’s words of advice. Max had retorted saying he doesn’t need Nico to tell him how good Lewis is. However, any rumors of friction between the two have been put to rest by the German.

The 2016 title winner iterated that he is a big fan of the Red Bull driver and that this whole situation has needlessly been blown out of proportion.

RacingNews365 quoted Rosberg as saying, “Indeed, Verstappen said he didn’t need me to see how good Hamilton is. I’m a fan of Max, but the media is knocking it back up.

“Of course I am sometimes critical in my role as an analyst, but I really am a huge fan of Max.”

Verstappen stole the show in Monaco, taking home his second win of the season. Although he was aided by the fact that pole-sitter Charles Leclerc didn’t start the race, the Dutchman didn’t put a foot wrong throughout. He comfortably pulled away from the chasing pack and controlled the tempo of the race.

Can Max Verstappen win again in Baku?

The Dutchman’s victory in the streets of Monte Carlo meant he that he leapfrogged Lewis Hamilton to the top of the points table. It appears that for the first time in quite a while we have a championship battle on our hands.

Hamilton, and indeed Mercedes as a whole, had a poor race in Monaco. But they’ll be hoping to bounce back at a venue where they have won two of the last three races.

Max will, as usual, have to be perfect all throughout the weekend. He can’t afford to slip up if he wants to win his maiden F1 title this year.

It certainly is shaping up to be quite an entertaining season. Who will take home the spoils in Azerbaijan? Will Max extend his lead at the top of the table? Or will normal service resume for Hamilton and co.? We shall soon find out.

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