Last Updated: 07/30/22 7:02 AM Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Max Verstappen says he prefers the challenge of Charles Leclerc compared to his main rival last season Lewis Hamilton. Max Verstappen says he prefers the challenge of Charles Leclerc compared to his main rival last season Lewis Hamilton. Max Verstappen says he “prefers” his rivalry with Ferrari and Charles Leclerc to the World Championship battle he had with Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes last season. Red Bull’s Verstappen emerged victorious over Hamilton after a controversial end to a heated season-long battle between them, which had many flashpoints both on and off the track. With Mercedes off the pace this season, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has emerged as the biggest threat to 24-year-old Verstappen’s title defense, with the pair engaged in several wheel-to-wheel battles during the first half of the season . Unlike last season, there is little to no evidence of ill-feeling between Ferrari and Red Bull, although the 63-point lead Verstappen opened up ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian GP may have helped diffuse the tension at the start of season that was creating between them. the teams and the drivers. Speaking to Sky Italy, Verstappen said: “I prefer what we have now because, first of all, I know Charles very well, he’s a nice guy, we’re similar in age – I think we’re only three weeks apart. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Leclerc came out on top after another dramatic battle with Verstappen in Austria.
Leclerc came out on top after another dramatic battle with Verstappen in Austria. “I think we’re fighting a very respectable competitor as far as Ferrari is concerned. The way they go the way we race… when they win a race we can say well done and when we win a race they can say well done and I really respect that.” Verstappen gave a concrete example of the camaraderie between the Red Bull and Ferrari camps, explaining that he had a pleasant exchange with Italian team principal Mattia Binotto over dinner on Saturday night at last weekend’s French GP. “Also, certain people within the team, even Mattia, I have a very good relationship with him,” said Verstappen. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Relive some of the most intense on-track battles between Hamilton and Verstappen last season.
Relive some of the most intense on-track battles between Hamilton and Verstappen last season.
“On Saturday night, we even had a laugh at Paul Ricard, and I think that’s great because that’s what racing should be. We’re fierce competitors on the track and we’ll always try to beat each other, which I think is very normal. ., but apart from that you can also have a good time, and that’s what I really like about this year. “Let’s put it this way, I wouldn’t be at a table on Saturday night laughing at (Mercedes).” Asked why it was so different to last year’s situation, Verstappen added: “Just the click we have at the moment with the team and I have a lot of respect for Ferrari in general.”

Herbert ‘confused’ by Verstappen’s comments

Sky Sports F1’s Johnny Herbert said the way Verstappen dismissed seven-time world champion Hamilton was “disappointing”. “It was really disappointing in a lot of ways,” Herbert said. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Verstappen is able to hold off the surging Leclerc after the restart.
Verstappen is able to hold off the surging Leclerc after the restart. “It seems he dismissed Lewis immediately and then went straight to Charles and Ferrari in the battle they’re having. “I thought he was enjoying the battle they had on track (last season), but clearly there, he wasn’t enjoying it at all. “But I don’t understand why his comments would be so negative about Lewis and the battle they had last year. I’m quite confused.”

“It’s not about Verstappen wanting to drive for Ferrari”

Sky Sports F1’s Karun Chandhok dismissed the suggestion that Verstappen’s comments may have reflected a desire to drive for Ferrari at some point in the future. “I don’t think that’s what it’s about,” Chandhok said. “I don’t think he even thinks about that. He just thinks about the fact that he has a respectable battle with his competitors, and they fight hard on the track, but they respect each other off it. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player A young Verstappen and Leclerc have been feuding during their karting days, with the pair now forming one of the biggest rivalries of the current F1 season.
A young Verstappen and Leclerc have been feuding during their karting days, with the pair now forming one of the biggest rivalries of the current F1 season. “I think he’s honest, isn’t he? He’s enjoying the battle this year, he’s enjoying the on-track battle. “He races wheel-to-wheel differently with Charles than he did with Lewis. As he rightly said, he and Charles have known each other for a long time, they’ve grown up together, they’re of the same generation. “Honestly, it’s his personal feeling. We are not all friends with everyone. You get along with certain people, you relate and bond with certain people, and you create a mutual respect from friendship with certain people. “I don’t think it’s wrong that he’s closer friends with people at Ferrari or with Charles than with Lewis or the people at Mercedes. That’s just their personalities and characters.”