Max Verstappen responds to Lewis Hamilton as Mercedes driver makes fiery Red Bull claim | F1 | Sport

Max Verstappen has refused to be affected by Lewis Hamilton’s comments about Red Bull’s budget cap fiasco ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. Hamilton claimed Red Bull had brought upgrades to near enough every race weekend after Silverstone last season which could have given the team an advantage. 

It comes after reports suggested Red Bull had breached the 2021 budget cap by around £9million ($10mil). Hamilton missed out on an eighth crown by a whisker as he was pipped by the Red Bull driver at the final race last season. Verstappen was asked if wished the confusion had been put to bed ahead of Japan.

The reigning champion replied: “I mean, that’s normally what should have been the case already right? I think we have our reasons to believe that we are good. So that’s what I’ve been told and we’ll find out on Monday.”

When pushed on whether Verstappen was infuriated by Hamilton’s remarks, the Dutchman claimed he wasn’t affected but it. He commented: “No, but it’s also something between the team and the FIA and it’s not really up to me. I’m here to drive fast and try to give the best result to the team.”

READ MORE: Alonso makes plea over budget cap as icon possibly facing punishment

Hamilton admitted he had faith in FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem and the new governance to handle the investigation. But, he stressed the issue should not be swept under the carpet as he appeared to accuse Red Bull of overspending on a range of parts for performance gains.

He told Sky Sports F1: “What I can say is I remember last year in Silverstone we had our last upgrade and fortunately it was great and we could fight with it. But then we would see Red Bull every weekend or every other weekend bringing upgrades. They had, I think, at least four more upgrades from that point.

“If we spent £300,000 on a new floor, or adapted a wing, it would have changed the outcome of the championship naturally because we would have been in better competition in the next race if you add it on. So I hope that that’s not the case.”

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Mercedes have been one of the most critical teams on the grid with George Russell and Too Wolff also vocal about possible breaches. Russell has called for Red Bull to face punishment if found guilty while Wolff stressed other teams would be at a “disadvantage” if Red Bull had spent more.

However, Red Bull have denied any wrongdoing, calling the reports “speculation”. Team boss Christian Horner has also hit back at his rivals, calling the remarks “defamatory” and are even threatening legal action if the comments are not withdrawn.