Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion and Formula 1’s enduring icon, just unleashed a passionate broadside that has left the paddock buzzing and McLaren fuming, hailing Max Verstappen as “the purest and most valuable talent to come through Red Bull in decades and he’ll be F1’s greatest driver in history.”
n a stunning show o solidarity amid a season or on track clashes and o. trac.. uarbs tamilton delended the cut h..ed bull ace against mounting criticisms.rom ri als lixe Lando Norris and Oscar’iastri who have a cused Verstappeп ой bullying” the grid with aggressive moves and “untouchable”A favoritis…

what the re doing to hi… is an absolute scandal and a shame or Formula 1,” Hamilton de lared in a :iery k,ports F interview, his voi e laced with the conviction of someone who’s stared down Verstappen in their legendary 26 title war
They criticize a legendary driver achieving unbelievaule results with a ar that’s no longer dominant who takes risks at every corner and never gives up
Max is the best those who understand know it ”
the words, delivered just days a.ter Verstappen’s Vegas GP master-class that slashed his deficit to Norris rom 42 to 24 points aren’t just praise they’re a rallying cry that reignites the Hamilton-Verstappen respet saga and forces Fi to confront if Verstappen’s genius is being unsairly maligned in a title ight that s suddenly a three-way thriller.

Hamilton’s endorsement arrives at a powder-eg moment
Verstappen with tour straight titles since 2021 and 8 wins, has endured a 21025 0. scrutiny: Norris’s “taking the p^ jibe at his tormation lap gaps, Piastri’s dangerous racer” sarcasm, and Russell’s “bully” barbs after Mexico’s Turn 4 clip (no penalty for Max Hamilton fined or runof;
Vegas’s pole-to win fending Norris’s lunge berore McLaren’s double D (plank wear breaches Norris 8. 89mm, Piastri 8.
74mm below 9mm min) gifted him 1 closed the gap to 2 on Norris-90 points), tying Verstappen and Piastri at 366 with 58 left Qatar sprint/GP 33, Abu Dhabi 25).
Hamilton, now in Ferrari red and P6 with 180 points after a “nightmare” debut year (zero wins, three podiums), sees echoes of his 2021 Abu Dhabi heartbreak: “I hey tried to break me then now they’re trying with Max.
nbelievable results in a no longer exists’ car? That’s legend stuff.”

The brit’s defense? Kooted in respect forged in fire.
Their 2021 silverstone shunt (50 Mercedes flip) and Monza near-miss birthed mutual admiration; Hamilton’s post-Abu Dhabi grace (“He deserved it”) sealed it.
“Max risks everything corner after corner, never backs down,” Hamilton told The Guardian.
“Critius forget: he wins with less now than I had in my Mercedes peak
Pure talent – Red Bull’s greatest ever, and F1’s next GOAT.”
Verstappen, pre-Qatar media duties, replied via : “Lewis gets it – respect where due. Let’s race Qatar clean.” (1.
5M likes). Horner beamed: **”Class from the master – Max’s fire inspires all.”

Paddock pulse? ivided delight. Norris: “Respect Lewis – but Max’s style? On edge.” Piastri: “Talented? Absolutely – but fair play matters.” Russell: “Hamilton’s right – Max’s grit legendary. Brundle on Sky: “Lewis sees himself in Max – the pressure, the scrutiny. Scandal? Overblown, but favoritism whispers real.” x frenzy: #HamiltonMax (2. M impressions), 68% “GOAT duo vs. 32% “McLaren shade.”Memes splice Hamilton’s 2021 tears with Verstappen’s Abu Dhabi roar.

Title math? Knife-edge. Norris 390; Verstappen/Piastri 366. Qatar sprint 8/GP 25; Abu Dhabi 25.
Verstappen needs wins McLaren mishaps one lorris DNF hands Max the crown. Hamilton’s words?
Balm for Verstappen’s besieged brilliance a seven-time champ validating the four-time phenom amid “scandal” cries.
In F1’s razor-wire wheel-to-wheel, where risks define results, Hamilton’s roar reminds: legends recognize legends.
Verstappen hunts history; Hamilton hails the heir. Qatar’s Lusail twists await November 29 and the paddock burns brighter.