Lewis Hamilton has reminded Max Verstappen to “act like a World Champion” after the Red Bull driver’s conduct was criticised at last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
Red Bull arrived in Budapest armed with their biggest upgrade of the F1 2024 season as the team aimed to retake control of the World Championship, yet were unable to restore the position as F1’s dominant force.
Lewis Hamilton reminds Max Verstappen to ‘act like a World Champion’
Additional reporting by Thomas Maher
Verstappen could only manage third on the grid behind the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri before the reigning World Champion endured a frustrating race.
The Dutchman was heard criticising the car and his team’s strategy calls throughout the grand prix before colliding with Hamilton in the closing laps, ultimately coming home a distant fifth.
Verstappen’s annoyance continued after the race as he told his critics to “f**k off” while talking to the media.
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Hamilton, the most successful man in F1 history with a joint-record seven World Championships and 104 pole positions and race wins to his name, has stressed the need for drivers to “act like a World Champion.”
Speaking to media including PlanetF1.com ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, he said: “You have to be a team leader, a team member.
“Maybe not such a team leader but just always remember you’re a team-mate with lots of people and you have to act like a World Champion.”
Asked to explain what acting like a World Champion entails, he laughed: “That’s a good question! Not like it was last weekend.”
