Max Verstappen’s ‘amused’ reaction to ‘awkward’ Lewis Hamilton move to Ferrari after Red Bull leak
Max Verstappen says the timing of Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari is a 'bit awkward' after his reaction was revealed by his own Red Bull team.
The defending three-time world champion is the toughest opponent Brit star Hamilton has faced in his 17-year Formula 1 career.
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The pair delivered a title bout for the ages in 2021, going wheel-to-wheel on several occasions, and headed into the Abu Dhabi finale level on points.
Hamilton looked set to have edged that race for his eighth world title but an infamous late safety car call decided the Grand Prix in Verstappen’s favour for his maiden championship on the final lap.
Mercedes' struggles in the two seasons since then have meant Verstappen hasn't had a serious challenger to his dominance.
However, that could be about to change following the news that Hamilton will join F1's most famous team, Ferrari, in 2025.
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The 39-year-old hasn't won a race since Saudi Arabia 2021 but the bombshell reveal that he will join the Italian outfit stunned the sport.
Yet despite Hamilton's own Mercedes team being left shocked by his decision, his former rival Verstappen reacted in a different way.
Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko lifted the lid on the Dutchman's response in an interview with , saying: "He was just amused."
Verstappen himself then elaborated further at Red Bull’s 2024 F1 car launch on Thursday to say he wasn't surprised by Hamilton's decision.
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Verstappen said: “I think at the end of the day, seeing him go to Ferrari is not a surprise. If that’s your goal as a kid or your dream, then you go right.
“The only thing for me was I think that it was a little bit leaked of course and then they had to announce it.
“Because to announce something that big that early in the season – for sure for the rest of the year [it] is a bit awkward even though you have had a lot of success together as a team, you can’t be included in everything anymore.
“But for him going to Ferrari? It’s not shocking.â€
Verstappen and Hamilton's relationship has improved in recent years after the pair had a few sniping comments in the media.
Hamilton was asked about their relationship in January 2023 and said ‘I respect him’ adding: “Maybe he has a problem with me. But I am not sure about that and I actually assume not.â€
Verstappen responded by saying he has ‘no issues’ with Hamilton, but whether that changes if Ferrari poses a serious threat to his crown in 2025 remains to be seen,
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Red Bull chief Marko speculated that Mercedes' failure to provide their superstar driver with a car to match may have been a key factor in Hamilton ending his 12-year partnership with the Silver Arrows.
"That completely surprised me too," added Marko on his own reaction to the Ferrari news. "A sporting sensation, especially the timing. One wonders how this came about.
"Mercedes was overtaken by Ferrari in the second half of 2023, and McLaren was also faster.
"Maybe Hamilton noticed something that the outside world doesn't yet know. That doesn't change anything for us, except that I see it as weakening Mercedes.
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"Whether it strengthens Ferrari remains to be seen. Overall, this has an incredible impact, right down to the stock market prices. It's great that something is happening.
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"Normally, in a situation like this, your mind is already more focused on the new team.
"The current team cannot let him take part in any serious innovations because he would, of course, take them with him. The whole thing is excellent for sports, better than Netflix."
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