He really doesn't know me: Verstappen responds to Hamilton's comments after Monza crash

Max Verstappen of Red Bull has responded to Lewis Hamilton’s suggestion that pressure was building upon the Dutchman after the two collided during the Italian Grand Prix. Verstappen was given a three-place grid drop for the Russian Grand Prix on Sunday, and when discussing the championship during Thursday’s press conference, the Mercedes driver expressed empathy for the 23-year-old. The two are the top contenders for the driver’s championship this season. The two were involved in a massive and highly dangerous crash at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The race saw McLaren drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris finish first and second respectively in what was a historic race for the Woking-based constructor.

HAMILTON’S COMMENTS

However, things were not all fine and dandy between Hamilton and Verstappen. “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,” Hamilton had said. “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,” he added.

Verstappen was asked about the comments in the press conference alongside George Russell, who will be Hamilton’s teammate 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.” It was obviously a jibe at the seven-time world champion, albeit a light-hearted one.

‘DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU’RE LEADING CHAMPIONSHIP’

“I think if someone knows me, they think I’m very relaxed about all those things, and I really can’t be bothered, you know. I’m very chilled and it’s the best feeling ever to have a car, a great car, where you go into every weekend and you can fight for a win. It doesn’t matter if you’re just leading a championship or not. I think those comments I mean, it just shows you that he really doesn’t know me. Which is fine, I mean I also don’t need to know him, fully,” the Dutch driver said.

“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,” the Red Bull driver also added.

Hamilton is vying to become the most decorated driver in Formula One history, with eight championships to his name; Verstappen, on the other hand, has yet to be a part of a championship-winning team. The rivalry with Hamilton reached a new level at the Italian Grand Prix, when Hamilton exited the pits and rejoined alongside Verstappen. The two raced into the chicane at Turn 1 before the Dutchman bounced along the kerbs, launching 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,” he added.