Lewis Hamilton has shared his ideas on Max Verstappen extending his contract at Purple Bull, arguing he doesn’t suppose it’ll make a “large distinction” to his rival’s legacy in F1.
The seven-time drivers’ champion went toe-to-toe with the Dutchman within the fiercely fought and ill-tempered 2021 season, which went all the way down to the wire with the controversial finale in Abu Dhabi.
Nonetheless, the adversaries have seldom had the chance to reignite their battle, with Hamilton uncompetitive throughout the up to date floor impact period and Purple Bull now combating its means again to competitiveness beneath the brand new era of rules.
Verstappen has been notably outspoken about his dislike of the brand new guidelines, and even flirted with retirement earlier than reupping with the Milton Keynes-based crew till the top of 2030.
However the 28-year-old signing a contemporary deal was not sudden to Hamilton, who conceded he barely thought-about the matter.
“I’ve not likely put any thought to it, so not likely,” the Ferrari driver responded to media, together with RacingNews365, when requested if he was stunned Verstappen prolonged his contract with Purple Bull given his criticism of F1 this season.
And when it was put to him that Verstappen staying is sweet for the championship, he bluntly replied: “After all. Why would it not not be?”
Hamilton is vying to win a record-breaking eighth drivers’ title this season, which might even be his first for Ferrari.
Having received the crown at each McLaren and Mercedes, the Briton doesn’t imagine Verstappen, who shall be approaching 15 years with Purple Bull by the point his new deal expires, must win elsewhere to cement his standing in F1.
“I do not actually have an opinion on that essentially,” Hamilton stated when the topic was raised to him. “It would not actually… I do not know if it makes an enormous distinction.
“He is with an excellent crew. He is been with them a protracted, very long time, they usually simply preserve going from power to power; it is a actually wonderful place to be and to work, clearly.
“So once you have a look at the historical past of drivers that do transfer round, and a few drivers which have moved a loopy quantity, generally it is good, generally it is dangerous.
“However, clearly, the straightforward factor is all the time to remain the place you are comfy, and that is his alternative, and it isn’t a foul alternative.”
