Hamilton rues missed wet-weather battle with Verstappen: 'I was excited about'
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Tobia is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog with experience at international circuits. Since 2022, he has covered Grands Prix across Europe, delivering reliable coverage and insights from the paddock.
Lewis Hamilton expressed his disappointment at missing out on the opportunity to battle Max Verstappen in wet conditions at the Bahrain Grand Prix, although he made it clear that he holds no particular resentment towards the FIA over its decision.
Last weekend at Sepang, everything appeared to be in place for a thrilling wet-weather race. However, the software chaos during the formation lap, coupled with the time the FIA needed to provide teams with further updates, meant that the race eventually got underway in almost dry conditions. Drivers consequently completed only a handful of laps on intermediate tyres before switching to slicks.
Speaking to GPblog and other media in Singapore, the seven-time world champion admitted that he was excited by the prospect of racing in the rain at Sepang, particularly with the opportunity to go wheel-to-wheel with Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli. However, the lengthy delays ultimately prevented him from experiencing the wet-weather battle he had been hoping for.
Despite his disappointment, Hamilton defended the FIA's approach, acknowledging that the governing body has a responsibility to prioritise driver safety when making decisions in challenging weather conditions.
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"I was looking forward to a wet race when it started raining, and I was like, hell yeah, this is going to be fun. And we did the laps of the grid, there was obviously a lot of spray, and then with all the delay and everything like that, ultimately didn't get to have that battle that I wanted to have with Max, which I was excited about, and Kimi. I don't really have a feeling towards the FIA. I think ultimately they do the best job they can to keep us all safe."
Hamilton also reflected positively on his experience of fighting his way through the field, revealing that the experience brought back memories of his early karting days, when he often found himself starting races from the back of the grid in far from ideal machinery.
"It was a lot of fun. Honestly, it was reminiscent of my young days as a kid when my first go kart was fifth hand, all bent, and I would start basically at the back of the grid and I would have to drive through the field. It took me a little bit back in that respect."
Verstappen has no interest in a Ferrari move without one key ingredient
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Still on the subject of Ferrari and Red Bull, Verstappen has made his position clear regarding the prospect of one day joining the Maranello-based outfit, insisting that his ambitions remain firmly centred on winning rather than the prestige associated with a particular team.
The Dutchman acknowledged his considerable respect for Ferrari and its history, but stressed that the appeal of representing such an iconic brand would not be enough to convince him to make the switch if it meant sacrificing his chances of fighting at the front of the field. For the four-time world champion, competitive performance remains the decisive factor when considering his future.
Verstappen also reiterated his strong attachment to Red Bull, where he has enjoyed considerable success and developed a close relationship with the people around him. Rather than seeking a new challenge elsewhere, he remains motivated by the prospect of helping the Milton Keynes-based team rebuild and return to the level of competitiveness it has demonstrated in recent years.
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