Max Verstappen considers Lewis Hamilton as “one of the best Formula 1 drivers ever” but stands by previous comments about the six-time world champion.
The Dutchman hasn’t shied away from playing down the achievements of Hamilton, citing uncompetitive teammates and a largely dominant Mercedes car since the start of 2014.
However, when asked about allegedly calling the Briton “nothing special”, Verstappen insists that doesn’t mean he doesn’t recognise how good he is.
“Everybody has their own style, and I didn’t say that Lewis is nothing special. He’s definitely one of the best drivers ever in Formula 1,” he told Autocar.
“But, like I said before, you are very dependent on your car, so for example, if Fernando [Alonso] was in that car, he also would have won championships.
“Sometimes you’re lucky in a way because you join a team and then suddenly they become so dominant and you win your championships.
“But sometimes, like unfortunately with Fernando, you go to teams at the wrong time and you don’t win, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t a good driver. With Fernando, I feel he is one of the best also.”
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One of the strengths often cited about Hamilton is his remarkable consistency whereas Verstappen at times has been called out for impulsive driving, even by Lewis himself.
But the 22-year-old again used the same argument to suggest the pair are actually more alike.
“Do I temper my aggression more nowadays? No. I just think that with more experience in Formula 1 you can better estimate what can and cannot be done,” he explained.
“That may have something to do with the generation, but in itself, I don’t think we drive very differently than he did in his first five years.
“Whatever it is, he is in a car that is world championship material. We sometimes have the chance to fight with him and then we have to be a little harder because otherwise, you don’t have a chance.
“If it were the other way around, if we were in such a car, we would sometimes be less aggressive because in such a position you know: I just have to get my points for the world championship.
“Then it is sometimes better to be second and let the other win the race.”
Currently, the big story is whether Hamilton could be about to leave the comfort and dominance of Mercedes for Ferrari in 2021 as a final hurrah before retirement.
But Verstappen, who has also been linked to Mercedes, doesn’t see a reason why he would want to change teams.
“I mean, Lewis is getting older; he’s [almost] 35 now, so will stop at one point, but it’s just going to depend on the team, to be honest,” he claimed.
“It’s not going to depend on Lewis because if Mercedes keeps building really dominant cars, then for sure he’s going to win.
“So we have to just make sure as a team that we can beat them. In Formula 1, you’re very dependent on your car.”