Verstappen urges Hamilton not to give up on 8th title

PARIS • Red Bull's Max Verstappen is looking forward to fighting seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton again next season.

His Mercedes rival, beaten last Sunday on the last lap of the last race, did not attend the motor sport's gala awards ceremony on Thursday at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Speaking after collecting his maiden F1 world champion's trophy, Verstappen said: "It's my life goal achieved, so it sounds pretty decent.

"Everything that comes next is just a bonus. I'm of course going to keep pushing, I'm going to be in F1 for a few more years but this has been an incredibly tough season.

"It's been an incredible battle with Lewis, one of the greatest drivers ever in Formula One. I think we really pushed each other to the limit, sometimes over the limit... I think, in the end, we really respect each other.

"I can't wait for next year to come back and for sure we're going to try again."

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, who was also absent, had indicated some uncertainty over Hamilton's future, saying the 36-year-old was "disillusioned" with what transpired in Abu Dhabi.

While the Silver Arrows earlier this week decided not to appeal against the result, ratifying Verstappen's victory, the manner of the win remains highly controversial.

The motor sport's governing body FIA has promised to conduct a "detailed analysis and clarification exercise" into the running of the race, with all the teams and drivers, "to draw any lessons from the situation".

Race director Michael Masi appeared not to follow the rules and standard protocol on restarting the grand prix after a late safety car intervention.

Hamilton had led for a majority of the race and looked set to seal a record eighth championship, but the about-turn decision left him a sitting duck on old tyres and Verstappen, on fresh tyres, passed him on the final lap.

On the Briton, whom Wolff maintains was "robbed" of the title, Verstappen, 24, said: "I don't feel sorry but I can understand, of course, that it can be very painful.

"But at the end of the day, that's racing as well. You have to just keep fighting to the end and you know that in racing, anything can happen. He also won a championship like that. So I think he can understand as well."

Verstappen was referring to the way Hamilton took his first title with McLaren in 2008 with a last-corner move that shattered Ferrari driver Felipe Massa's hopes.

Asked how bad it would be if the Mercedes ace did not come back to renew the battle next season, Verstappen doubted that would happen.

"I can understand that the first few days after a race like that, you're not happy but you should also understand this is racing," said the Dutchman. "I think he should just look back at what he has achieved already.

"That should give him a lot of comfort and should also be that drive to just keep on going because he is still trying to challenge for that eighth title and for sure, he can do that again next year. So I don't see any reason why to give up or stop now."

REUTERS