Lewis Hamilton opens up on relationship with Max Verstappen

The F1 season is here and it has got everyone talking. 

And why not? After what we witnessed last season, and with the new rules in place, there is every chance this year will be just as box office, if not more. 

Where last season was decided was in the dying moments of the championship, the last lap of the last Grand Prix to be precise, and there are similar expectations this time around, with the Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen rivalry set to continue. 

Hamilton, though, is in no mood to be F1’s Jose Mourinho and get the mind games going.

He was appreciated for his dignified behaviour in the wake of a heartbreaking defeat, and he has picked up from there this season, too. 

As he prepares for the first race in Bahrain next week, he stressed on the respect between the Dutchman and himself.

“You’ve got to be careful, the way people hype up drama, it creates a narrative for the fans — and for me and Max,” he said. 

“We see each other in the paddocks, things are normal. We’re just two drivers and we have a sense of how much we both like driving.

“On the other side, we’re ruthless — that’s what you have to be — hopefully with a bit of compassion.

“We are fighters, there are no friends on the track. Some days we get it right, some days we get it wrong but it’s important we keep some respect.”

You stay classy, Lewis.

This is what makes him the legend he is. Obviously, the titles won makes him the greatest statistically, but as far as the stature goes, that is the real cherry on top.