BREAKING NEWS: Verstappen makes a surprising revelation regarding his rivalry with Hamilton in Formula 1.

Although Max Verstappen has downplayed the intensity of their competition, he and Lewis Hamilton—who fought it out for the 2021 Formula 1 title—remain rivals to this day. Verstappen triumphed in the contentious season finale of 2021, sparking continuing parallels between the two drivers. But after Red Bull dominated the 2022 season and Verstappen won the championship three times in a row, their meetings have been less frequent.

Verstappen and Hamilton’s competitive advantage has been lessened by Red Bull’s dominance and Mercedes’s difficulties with “diva” cars, according to their team principal. When asked about the rivalry, Verstappen gave a less serious response, saying that although they compete against one another on the race, their relationship off the circuit is amicable.

Despite Hamilton’s age of 39 and committing to two more seasons with Mercedes in pursuit of an eighth title, Verstappen doesn’t view surpassing Hamilton’s achievements as his primary motivation. With three championships and 54 Grand Prix victories at 26 years old, Verstappen acknowledges that time is on his side, given Red Bull’s current dominance until the next significant regulation changes in 2026. However, he emphasizes that he is not fixated on surpassing Hamilton’s career records and sees winning and staying at the top of the sport as his primary goals. Verstappen recognizes the importance of luck and the quality of the car in achieving sustained success in Formula 1, stating that he has already fulfilled his initial dreams in the sport and now aims to remain competitive.