Lewis Hamilton’s opinion on Max Verstappen is crystal clear (Image: Getty)
Lewis Hamilton previously lumped praise on world champion and rival at the 2023 FIA prize-giving Gala, while his team-mate continues to clash with the Dutch star right now. The 2024 ceremony takes place today (December 13) in Kigali, Rwanda.
Seven-time world-title-winning Brit Hamilton stepped up to the podium last year in Azerbaijan – the first time he had been present at the event since 2020 – with Formula One regulations making it compulsory that the top three finishers in the Drivers’ Championship standings be in attendance.
And, unlike colleague Russell – who entered a war of words with Verstappen last week, dubbing him a ‘bully’ and ‘disrespectful’ after a qualifying scuffle in Qatar – Hamilton was incredibly complimentary of his rival who won 19 of 22 races that season, kindly describing him as ‘faultless’.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“Good evening, everyone; I just want to wish everyone a big congratulations on this year,” said Hamilton – who will depart to join ahead of next season – as he took to the stage in 2023.
“For everyone, it has been a very, very long season, and we’re very much looking forward to the winter break. We’re working very, very hard on making sure we come back strong next year. I must say a big congratulations to , Verstappen, and Checo; they’ve done an incredible job this year.
“ was faultless. Max and all of his team really raised the bar and we have a lot of work to close that gap, but I truly do believe that we can close that gap.
Hamilton praised rival Verstappen last year (Image: Getty)
“Thank you also to my team because they never gave up this year,” Hamilton added, after a season that saw win all but one race and win none. “We started off with a sister basically of previous years’ car which was not good and not fun to drive for most of the year.
“But no one gave up, everyone continued to show up every day, and that was what was most inspiring, and so I hope that we come back next year.”
team principal was also in attendance, and added to the praise last year, saying: “It has been the most amazing season for the team, winning 21 out of the 22 races this season. Max joins very much the greats today. A big evening for us, a big year for us.”
Verstappen will be present in Rwanda for this year’s ceremony to collect his 2024 winners’ trophy, but is also set to complete some ‘work of public interest’ while in the country – punishment for swearing during a news conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.
For , it was a far less dominant year in 2024 as struggled on the track and the team finished in third behind winners and in the F1 constructors’ championship table, although they did at least see off fourth-placed .