Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was at his cheeky best on Saturday after shattering Lewis Hamilton’s all-time lap record at Monza during Italian Grand Prix qualifying. The reigning world champion, who has made a habit of rewriting Formula 1 history in recent years, stormed around the legendary Temple of Speed with a blistering lap that left Hamilton’s previous benchmark in the dust.
The Dutchman didn’t waste time turning the achievement into a playful jab at his longtime rival. As soon as he climbed out of his car, Verstappen grinned and told reporters, “I guess Lewis will need a few more years if he wants that one back.”
The dig sparked laughter in the Red Bull garage, with team principal Christian Horner later joking, “That’s Max for you. He doesn’t just break records, he enjoys reminding everyone whose name is at the top.”
Hamilton, who set the record in 2020 when Mercedes was at the height of its dominance, remained diplomatic when asked about Verstappen’s remarks. “Records are meant to be broken. I’ve had mine, and Max is in an incredible car doing an incredible job,” the seven-time champion said. But those close to the Mercedes camp suggested the Briton didn’t appreciate Verstappen’s tongue-in-cheek jab.
The rivalry between the two has simmered since their dramatic 2021 title battle, and while the years since have been defined by Red Bull supremacy, Verstappen has shown no intention of letting the tension cool. His Monza lap was not only a statement of speed but also another reminder of how far the gap has grown between himself and Hamilton.
Fans, of course, were quick to stir the pot. Social media lit up with memes and debates, some applauding Verstappen’s swagger while others accused him of disrespecting one of F1’s greats. One fan wrote: “Max is living rent-free in Lewis’ head,” while another countered: “He’ll never have Hamilton’s legacy, no matter how many laps he breaks.”
Whether playful banter or a calculated jab, Verstappen’s comments have once again injected spice into one of Formula 1’s fiercest rivalries. With Monza always a stage for history, it seems Verstappen wasn’t content with just rewriting the record books—he wanted to make sure Hamilton knew it too.
Leave a Reply