Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has responded to Lewis Hamilton’s suggestion that pressure could be getting to the Dutchman after the two collided during the Italian Grand Prix. Verstappen was hit with a three-place grid drop to be taken at the Russian Grand Prix on Sunday, and when talking about the title during Thursday’s press conference, the Mercedes driver shared empathy with the 23-year-old.
“I remember what it was like battling for my first championship and obviously I’m fighting for something like my tenth battle or something like that,” said the seven-time world champion.
“But I remember what it was like and I know the pressure that comes with it, and the experiences that go with it so I can empathise with that.
“I think what’s important is that we just continue to race hard but fair, and I have no doubts that we will both be professional and learn from the past.”
Verstappen had the comments put to him in the press conference besides George Russell, who is due to be Hamilton’s team-mate at Mercedes next season, and joked: “Yeah, I’m so nervous I can barely sleep. I mean it’s so horrible to fight for a title.”
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Lewis Hamilton empathises with Max Verstappen
“But I just focus on myself, and I really enjoyed that they’re on the front, and hopefully, of course, we can do that for a very long time.”
Hamilton is fighting to become the most decorated driver in Formula One history with eight titles to his name, meanwhile, Verstappen has yet to be a part of a championship-winning setup.
The battle with the Briton reached boiling point again at the Italian Grand Prix, when Hamilton was exiting the pits, rejoining alongside Verstappen.
The two battled it out into the chicane at Turn 1, before the Dutchman bounced along the kerbs propelling the Red Bull into the air and landing awkwardly on top of the Mercedes.
And when asked if he thought the fight could escalate further and turn nasty, the 23-year-old replied: “Not from my side I mean I’m pretty calm and chilled about everything.
“It’s more the questions I keep getting about it.
“I think we’re all professional enough to leave this behind in Monza, and just continue again here in Sochi and the races after that.”
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