Hamilton rejects Hadjar's Ferrari claim: 'We have very different opinions there'
Photo: Race Pictures
Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
Lewis Hamilton disagrees with Isack Hadjar's claim that Max Verstappen would have won the Singapore Grand Prix by an even greater margin in a Ferrari.
During the drivers' press conference, the Red Bull Racing driver said: "I think if you put Max in the Ferrari, he would have won the race with more margin. So that's my opinion. In Singapore, I think it was the fastest car."
Hamilton was asked about Hadjar's verdict. The seven-time world champion said: "Firstly, I think Isack is an amazing driver. We're going to have different opinions there. Ultimately, they've done an amazing job. Red Bull have done an amazing job for many, many years. You've seen how they continuously surprise me. I'm full of admiration for them. I put my hand up many, many years ago when I was younger and was like, "There's no way they're going to be able to do what these other teams, like McLaren with all that heritage and Ferrari with all that heritage, can do." But they have, and they've proved me wrong."
Isack Hadjar - Photo: Race Pictures
Red Bull's engine surprised Hamilton
ADVERTISEMENT
Hamilton also heaped praise on the Red Bull Ford power unit. "They've continued to have amazing success over the years. But this one is where the engine... I was like, "There's no way that anyone's going to build a better engine than what Mercedes, for example, or Ferrari are capable of doing with the resources and experience they have, and the IP." And yet again, they proved us all wrong again. They built the best engine. They've had the best engine this year.
"Obviously, they had a little bit of a wobbly start. But, like you saw last year, they've got an amazing car. They've got great drivers. They've clearly got great leadership. And I think they will be very, very hard to... They're just as quick through all the corners as us in the last race, and that's been our strength," Hamilton said.
Looking ahead to this weekend, the Briton added: "So, they've matched us now through the corners, and they're three or four tenths quicker down the straights. We have a very, very small upgrade this weekend. It's less than a tenth. It's like half a tenth.
"So, I don't think that propels us forward enough to necessarily challenge that deficit. But maybe the track suits our car, and maybe they'll have a one-off weekend. Maybe Mercedes will have an off weekend again, and we'll be right there to take it."
Verstappen hits out at pointless debates: 'Just nonsense'
ADVERTISEMENT
The Dutchman was also asked about his teammate's words. "Yeah, I mean, we're stressing about something that doesn't matter, right? Yeah, he said it. Well, let him say that, right? I mean, you shouldn't always then need to put it forward to the other driver or the other team, like, whatever. Like, you know, you are constantly trying to agitate people with it instead of just letting it be. That's what I normally do. I'm like, whatever. Life goes on. Tomorrow's another day," he explained.
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on Google