Verstappen won't be pulled into manufactured feud with F1 rival Leclerc

Max Verstappen loathes exaggerated rivalries and the Formula One champion won't be pulled into a manufactured feud with Charles Leclerc as he attempts to defend his title this season.

Leclerc won last week's season-opening race in Bahrain in part by outlasting Verstappen in a wheel-to-wheel, back-and-forth passing battle in the early laps. Leclerc went on to win from the pole for Ferrari; Verstappen failed to finish as both Red Bull cars retired with fuel pump issues.

Verstappen is 16 days older than Leclerc and the two began racing against each other in karts when they were just 12. Their relationship is just fine, Verstappen told The Associated Press on Thursday, debunking a report that Leclerc has “never forgiven” Verstappen for a 2019 incident in the Styrian Grand Prix.

The 24-year-old said he and Leclerc had a tense relationship when they were teens but it is much improved now at the top level of motorsports.

“I never speak about these things with other drivers,” Verstappen laughed in a video interview. "I mean, it happens. I've lost wins, as well, and it's not the end of the world, you move on. I think Charles is one of the most talented drivers in Formula One and he will win many more races.

“I think we are just good competitors and we like racing, I think you saw that when we were battling hard and it was all good.”

Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. led a 1-2 finish for Ferrari, the leader out of the gate as the top team this season. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes snatched a third-place finish when Sergio Perez, Verstappen's teammate, spun late and was also forced to retire.

Verstappen last year battled Hamilton wire-to-wire to win his first F1 title and the Dutchman this season will seemingly have