MAX VERSTAPPEN has suggested that Lewis Hamilton is “jealous” of his current success.
The reigning Formula 1 world champion has also called Mercedes sore losers.
Max Verstappen hit back at Lewis Hamilton’s commentsRex
AlamyHamilton was accused of being ‘jealous’[/caption]
Verstappen sealed his tenth Grand Prix win in a row at Monza yesterday.
Going into the weekend, Hamilton, 38, raised eyebrows by playing down his rival’s success.
The seven-time world champion said: “I’m no more impressed than when Michael [Schumacher] was leading, when Sebastian [Vettel] was leading when Kimi [Raikkonen] was driving, when Fernando [Alonso] was winning – it’s just the same.
“In my personal opinion, all my team-mates have been stronger than the team-mates Max has had – Jenson [Button], Fernando, George [Russell], Valtteri [Bottas], 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.”
Since Verstappen joined Red Bull in 2016, he has been joined by Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and current team-mate Sergio Perez.
Hamilton, meanwhile, has had to contend with world championship pedigree in Button, Alonso and Rosberg.
The Mexican is second to Verstappen in the driver standings, but trails the Dutchman by a staggering 145 points.
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Asked about Hamilton’s comments, Verstappen threw a verbal jab at his former title rival.
He said: “Maybe he’s a little jealous of my current success.
“This kind of statement… he possibly thinks he’s winning something with that, but it makes no difference to me.
“I think Mercedes have a very hard time dealing with losing, after all these years of winning so much.
“At some point, you have to be realistic and then you have to be able to appreciate what other teams are doing.
You can keep shouting and screaming that what we do is not that special… you just have to deal with yourself
Max Verstappen
“We did the same when they were dominant and we also said, ‘We have to work harder because we are not good enough’.
“You can keep shouting and screaming that what we do is not that special… you just have to deal with yourself.”
Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle admitted to being “surprised” by Hamilton’s comments – but reckons he was merely trying not to give Verstappen any gratification.
Brundle, 64, said: “That’s Lewis’ opinion and he very firmly put it out there.
“He’s not going to give Max an ounce of oxygen, or anything, to pick him up. I’m surprised just how hard he was.
“Of course, Lewis has had strong team-mates but I wouldn’t write off the likes of Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez, who Max has had alongside him.
“They are world-class racing drivers. Lewis just doesn’t want to give anything away, does he?”
“To win at the rate Lewis has done, 103 victories, and the rate Max is, and to keep the mental aspect going every week in different tracks and weather conditions, is extraordinary.
“You can’t be anything other than incredibly impressed by what Verstappen is doing. How many points has Perez scored in that time?”
GettySergio Perez has been unable to seriously challenge Max Verstappen[/caption]
Hamilton has had plenty of world champion team-matesBongarts – Getty