Max Verstappen has admitted that he and Lewis Hamilton “sometimes hated each other” this year but that the mutual respect between them remains high.
The Red Bull driver said a shared moment after the title was decided at the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix returned their relationship to normal.
“You look each other in the eye,” he said. “You don’t say a lot but you do relate a lot and you really appreciate the fight.
“Sometimes we did hate each other, but that’s fine. That’s the competitive spirit of both of us. He is an incredible driver.”
Verstappen was speaking on his return to Red Bull’s headquarters for the first time since winning the title. And the Dutchman admitted that his title win, achieved in controversial circumstances after a late-race safety car, had been fortunate.
“We have won it on track,” he said. “People say it was a lucky win. Absolutely, the win was very lucky.
“But we also have been very unlucky throughout the season, otherwise the championship would have been decided way earlier, even with the dominance Mercedes had towards the end of the season.
“I’m like, ‘Well, sometimes a little bit of luck in your life is nice as well.’”
(BBC Sport)