F1 News: Lewis Hamilton Champions Teammates In Subtle Sergio Perez Snub
In a rather subtle snub, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has compared the teammates he has had through his career with championship leader Max Verstappen's current co-driver Sergio Perez, thus highlighting that Sergio has been nowhere near as strong enough as his own co-drivers in all these years.
Hamilton listed co-drivers Valtteri Bottas, George Russell, Nico Rosberg, and Jenson Button from the days when he used to dominate the F1 grid. By doing so, the British driver hinted that he faced tough competition from his co-drivers during his prime days with the 'potent' names listed above.
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But when compared with Max Verstappen's co-driver Perez who isn't doing enough justice to the Red Bull RB19 F1 car, Hamilton suggests Verstappen's journey at the front is a breeze with a lack of fighting power from within the team.
Speaking to Sky Italia ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Hamilton said that he was no more impressed with Verstappen than he had been with previous legends of the F1 world. He said:
“I’m no more impressed than I have [been] when Michael [Schumacher] was leading, when Sebastian [Vettel] was leading, when Kimi [Raikkonen] was driving, when Fernando [Alonso] was winning.”
Speaking of Red Bull's performance as a team, he further revealed:
“I think the team as a whole, is one of the strongest, they are firing on all cylinders right now. The car is incredible. The driver is doing an amazing job, very consistent. The pit crew are doing a great job, strategy’s doing a good job and on point. You can’t fault them."
Verstappen's Success Has Been Blown Out Of Proportion
Hamilton thinks that the Dutch driver's achievement has been getting a lot more attention than it needs is as he cites his own example. He revealed:
“It’s actually interesting because I was running this morning and I was thinking about this.
"The narrative, that goes through the media… you know when I qualified half a second, six tenths ahead of Valtteri, they didn’t say the same thing as they say today when Max qualifies six tenths ahead of Perez - it’s blown up much more.
"In my personal opinion, Valtteri [Bottas], and all of my teammates, have been stronger than the teammates that Max has had.
"Jenson [Button], Fernando, George [Russell], Valtteri, Nico [Rosberg]. I’ve had so many. These guys have all been very, very strong, very consistent and Max has not raced against anyone like that."
Considering a 2-year extension on Hamilton's contract with Mercedes and the upgrades planned for next year's W15 F1 car, it would be worth seeing where and how the Hamilton - Verstappen rivalry escalates.
