It will not be easy to forget the achingly close battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. The contagious, prolonged battle wasn’t confined to the paddock as well. The fans were a part throughout the season and the sentiment has soldiered on to the current season as well. However, at the Austrian GP, we witnessed the ugly side of rivalry through the eyes of some fans.

And not just at Spielberg, emotions were running high at Silverstone as well. We can credit the behavior of the fans to the Hamilton-Verstappen rivalry and David Coulthard has a solution. However, the former Red Bull driver knows the implementation will be difficult and not because of last year’s rivalry.

Coulthard believes if Hamilton and Verstappen show a united front to the fans, the tensions will dissolve. However, he believes the age difference between the two will be an obstacle.

He explained, “I think it’s because of the age difference, it’s a question of generations. Lewis and Max just don’t have a connection, whereas there is one between Charles (Leclerc), Carlos ( Sainz), Lando (Norris), George (Russell), and all the drivers of this generation. Maybe the difference is not that big, 10 or 11 years or whatever it is, but in sport, it’s more than a generation.” (Translated by Google)

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He even shared his outlook on the situation with the fans. He added, “I would love to see them arm in arm and talk to the Formula 1 fans because we heard Max getting booed at Silverstone and I’m really not happy to see that in our sport. You can support whoever you want but let’s be fair, do it in a respectful way.”

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on the incidents at Austrian GP

Hamilton and Verstappen were among the few who spoke out against the abuse at the Austrian GP.

The Mercedes man said, “It’s crazy to think that we’re experiencing those things still in 2022.”

Whereas the Red Bull world champion exclaimed, “A normal human being shouldn’t think like that or behave like it.”

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Both world champions condemned the action of the fans toward one another and demanded civil behavior. The Dutch GP will give us a clearer picture of whether these requests are reaching the fans. But, let’s hear from you; Will Hamilton receive more cheers from the sea of Orange at Zandvoort?