There were an incredible amount of different emotions during and after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Max Verstappen cried out with happiness and even shed a tear, just like father Jos undoubtedly did. Everyone at Red Bull was in ecstasy, but of course that was not the case at Mercedes.
There was mainly sadness, incomprehension and anger. Lewis Hamilton, however, kept his cool and congratulated his competitor like a true gentleman. Verstappen tells what words the two exchanged shortly after the race when the Briton came over to him.
“We went all out as a team, but you always have the other side who is very disappointed and angry. It was nice that Lewis came straight to me and he said ‘well done, congratulations’. I said ‘thank you for that. the great season’, because in my view it was just that,” he says in conversation with CarNext.
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Max and Lewis went to the limit
According to Verstappen, the two race in race out ensured that they performed at an unprecedented level. “Whoever won or finished second, we pushed each other to the limit all year round. Not only ourselves, but also the car and the team, every race again”, enjoys Max, who thinks everyone is relieved that calm returns somewhat.
“I think everyone is happy that the season is over so we can take a break,” laughs the Red Bull driver. “It has been very intense and tough for everyone. It was definitely a great rivalry,” he recalls.
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Jos Verstappen praises dad Hamilton
Not only Lewis showed himself a good loser immediately after the race, his father, Anthony Hamilton, also showed a lot of respect for Max and Jos. The latter could absolutely appreciate that. “When I sat with Max after the race, Anthony was there too. He congratulated us, so that was very nice, really nice.”
According to Max’s father, Lewis’s father is always a pleasant man. He has no bad words about the Brit. “During the season I also had some conversations with him via WhatsApp. He is a very nice man. He is always very respectful.”
Finally, Jos Verstappen thinks that the pain was less visible with the Hamiltons. “They have already won seven titles, so it might be something different for them, because for us it was of course the first.”
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