Recently-crowned Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has commended Lewis Hamilton for immediately congratulating him on his title following Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Verstappen won the championship under controversial circumstances last Sunday, overtaking his rival on the final lap following a Safety Car period.
Mercedes was left outraged by how the restart procedure was handled, lodging an appeal of the result after the race.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Verstappen acknowledges that it was a difficult way for Mercedes to lose the title, but complimented Hamilton for shaking his hand after the grand prix.
“It’s a very tough situation, to lose the championship on the last lap,” Verstappen said. “I think, in a way, it’s difficult to compare myself to him.
“I was fighting for my first title, he already had seven. So, you can take a bit of comfort out of that, but nevertheless, it’s a painful situation.
“But what was very nice was Lewis came straight up to me out of the car, he congratulated me and that’s what real sportsmen do. From Lewis, that was really nice. And also Lewis’ dad.”
Verstappen added that the intensity level behind the wheel was massive compared to previous years as both he and the Red Bull team consistently tried to best Mercedes.
“I think it’s great [rivalry] for the sport, I had a great fight throughout the whole season with Lewis,” he said.
“We came together, but at the end of the day we respect each other as drivers and the way we push each other to the limit, every single race, but also the team, they always need to be perfect, or try to be perfect.
“That brings a lot of pressure and stress for everyone. I think that’s quite extraordinary. I had seasons before where I was on the podium but I was not really tired because there was nothing to push for.
“They were too far away from me and I was only third, or whatever. So to have a season like this, it was intense.”
