Verstappen compliments Hamilton: "One of the best drivers ever"

In Max Verstappen's end-of-year interview at Ziggo Sport, the Dutchman made a compliment to his rival Lewis Hamilton, who won his seventh world title this season. The Dutchman also explains the changing relationship and growing respect between the two rivals.

The rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen has existed for as long as the Dutchman has competed for the Red Bull team in Formula 1. However, while Verstappen was first waved away by Hamilton, the British driver can no longer ignore the growing threat posed by Verstappen. This has changed the relationship between the two drivers, says Verstappen in an interview with Olav Mol and Jack Plooij at Ziggo Sport. 

Verstappen says, about the growing respect between him and Hamilton: "That's there anyway, and of course it will grow over the years. It's also quite normal when seventeen- eighteen-year-old enters the sport that it takes a while, but now it's actually quite normal. He is very nice.”

"Everyone has their own life outside Formula 1, but when we sit there we can make jokes laugh. …. We get along very well with each other."

One of the best drivers

Verstappen also makes a compliment to his rival. "Lewis is certainly one of the best drivers ever. ... Many drivers can win in that car, but that doesn't take anything away from Lewis," says Verstappen. 

The Dutchman explains Hamilton's racing skills using an example: "A good example is Turkey, where of course it was very difficult and where Lewis eventually won the race by just staying on the track and not making any mistakes. If you see where Valtteri ended up, with the same car, you can, of course, see the difference between a top driver and a good driver."