Max Verstappen snaps back at Lewis Hamilton's jibe with 'nothing to prove' claim

24 November 2023 , 10:34

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Max Verstappen snapped back at Lewis Hamilton's suggestion he wouldn't want the Brit to join him at Red Bull (Image: AP)

Max Verstappen scoffed at the suggestion that he could make a statement by beating Lewis Hamilton in the same Formula 1 car.

They enjoyed a titanic title battle in 2021 with Mercedes and Red Bull matching each other for car performance throughout the year. But never have the rivals had the chance to test their skills in the same machinery.

Christian Horner claimed this week that Hamilton reached out earlier this year to enquire about the possibility of making that happen. He said the seven-time world champion had got in touch with Red Bull, though the driver later denied that and said the team boss had instigated the contact.

Hamilton also said he would be "happy" to take on Verstappen in the same car and suggested the feeling would not be mutual. "I don't think he wants me to be his team-mate," asserted Hamilton.

Verstappen was not keen to be drawn on the situation as he felt it had nothing to do with him. But he did make it clear that he does not feel like he has to go up against Hamilton in a straight fight to prove himself to anyone.

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The Dutchman told reporters: "It's not happening. So there's no point to make up stories if it's not happening. I wouldn't mind [it happening], it doesn't matter. Anyone. I don't want to put it like now particularly on Lewis. There are so many great drivers as well. Sometimes it just doesn't work out like that.

"It doesn't interest me at all. I didn't even know about those stories when I was asked during the press conference. But I don't care either. We don't even need to talk about it, because it's just never going to happen.

"What do I need to prove? I've got nothing to prove, I think." And he also questioned the claim that is often made that it would be good for the sport and for fans to watch its two top drivers go head-to-head within the same team.

Verstappen added: "Then there will always be excuses if one driver is faster than the other. Like, 'Yeah, but he's too old now and that kind of stuff'. They [fans] always come up with something. It's the same now.

"Nowadays, people say that I win too much. But if you don't win, they will say, 'The team has to do a better job'. There are always some stories to create to talk about something else."

Daniel Moxon