Verstappen at World Cup gala about competitor Hamilton: "I understand that it hurts a lot"

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Verstappen alone in Paris: Mercedes motorsport director Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton did not appear in protest

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GERMAIN HAZARD / imago images / PanoramiC

After the undisputed season finale of Formula 1, the new Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen can sympathize with the disappointment of his inferior competitor Lewis Hamilton - at least a little.

"I'm not sorry for him, but I understand that it hurts a lot," said Verstappen on Thursday evening as part of the closing gala in Paris, to which Mercedes motorsport director Toto Wolff and Hamilton themselves did not appear.

Participation is actually mandatory.

"That's just racing, anything can happen right up to the last lap," said the Red Bull driver.

Hamilton has already won titles in this way, "so he can certainly understand me."

He said of the season that it was an "unbelievable fight" in which both drivers pushed each other to the limit, "sometimes even beyond".

"I think in the end we both respect each other." He couldn't wait to compete with Hamilton again next year and also believed that it would come to that.

Verstappen does not believe that Hamilton could consider an early retirement.

"He should just look at what he has already achieved," said the Dutchman.

“He can still win the eighth world title next year.

There is no reason to give up. "

Hamilton had confidently led the last race of the season last Sunday in Abu Dhabi and would have become world champion with one win.

It was only a late safety car phase that brought Verstappen back to life.

When the race was reopened on the last lap, Verstappen drove to victory.

Hamilton remains silent

Mercedes initially failed with a protest against the events and against the decisions of race director Michael Masi.

On Thursday, the team finally announced that it would no longer appeal.

He was "pleased about this news," said Verstappen, "but I also expected it."

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner showed no sympathy for the excitement at Mercedes: »Safety cars are normal in Formula 1, and it's always about taking them off the track as quickly as possible.

That is expressly the task of the race management, «said Horner at the gala of the world association Fia.

The sudden end of the safety car phase before the last lap had been one of the points of contention.

Hamilton did not comment on the matter until Thursday evening, and his social media activities have also been suspended since the race weekend.

Wolff left it open on Thursday whether Hamilton would start again next season.

"Lewis and I are disaffected right now," he said.

ngo / sid / Reuters