Hamilton and Verstappen agree: 'It's very hurtful'

Max Verstappen took the initiative during the Mexico Grand Prix to ignore Sky Sports for the weekend; his team followed suit. The Dutchman also spoke out after the race about the toxic environment that is social media. Lewis Hamilton stands by the two-time champion.

As a two-time world champion, the Red Bull Racing driver is constantly under the media's scrutiny. In Mexico, Verstappen was fed up and condemned British Sky Sports' coverage. The medium was too biased and did not present a balanced picture. On social media, the Dutchman sees the same thing happening. Especially on Twitter, Verstappen sees a lot of hurtful messages passing by.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who himself is no stranger to the social media landscape, stands by his rival, saying at the press conference after the Mexican GP: "I think social media is getting more and more toxic as the years go on. I think we should probably get off it." Hamilton believes the responsibility also lies with the platforms themselves: "Fortunately, I don't read that stuff but the media platforms definitely need to do more to protect people, particularly young kids and women. But at the moment, they're not doing that so I think it will just continue."

Finally, Sergio Perez also shares his opinion on the hurtful comments that pass on social media: "It's a shame how are these people can feel how they feel, because you are just a public figure and they feel they can insult you, insult your family and just sitting behind the desk, they don't understand that we are also human beings."