Reigning Formula One champion Max Verstappen says he doesn’t care that Lewis Hamilton will be racing in a Ferrari next season.
The Dutchman beat Hamilton to the 2021 World title which went down to the final laps of the final race. He then dominated Formula 1 in 2022 and again in 2023 while this season he’s the favourite to secure title number four given his 47-point lead in the Drivers’ standings.
Hamilton has seen a huge dip, having won only two Grands Prix since that 2021 finale.
The seven-time World Champion announced this season that he would be joining Ferarri next season, bidding farewell to Mercedes after 12 years.
Seeing Hamilton in red has made F1 fans excited with anticipation. Max Verstappen though, doesn’t care.
Asked by Sport Bild if Hamilton to Ferrari was ‘good or bad’ for him, Verstappen said: “I don’t care. Because I want to beat every driver from every car. It doesn’t matter to me whether Lewis is in the red or silver car.
He did however say it’s a good move for the popularity of the sport though.
“I can understand that there is a lot of interest in his move. It’s a good thing for Formula 1. It will be interesting to see how he and Charles (Leclerc) work together within a team.”
Pressed on his first thoughts when he heard the news that Hamilton was leaving Mercedes for Ferrari, the Red Bull driver replied: “It didn’t really affect me. I had zero emotions.”
