Drivers are making special preparations for the weekend as F1 returns with the Singapore GP. The race in Singapore is one of the most challenging races of the season due to its hot and humid climatic conditions. Lewis Hamilton will be hoping to break his winless streak as he enjoys an impressive record at this circuit.

Subsequently, Mercedes sponsor Petronas held a fan event for the fans to interact with the team on the eve of the Singapore GP. The event was attended by Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and team principal Toto Wolff. However, it wasn’t the event that caused an uproar on social media.

Prior to the event, the Petronas team introduced Hamilton as the 8x champion. The Mercedes sponsor threw some serious shade at Red Bull driver Max Verstappen. Petronas even put up an Instagram story on their social media.

Max Verstappen won the Abu Dhabi GP in controversial fashion last year, which cost Lewis Hamilton his record 8th title. Mercedes fans and sponsors alike have not forgotten the injustice as they crowned the boy from Stevenage an 8-time World Champion.

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton Follows Only 2 Accounts After His Wild Instagram Purge in Protest to Verstappen’s F1 Title Win Last Year

The Instagram story caused outrage on social media as fans from both sides made their opinions known. While Team Lewis defended and further supported Petronas’ story, Max and Red Bull fans seemed to troll the Mercedes sponsor.

Mercedes sponsor’s Lewis Hamilton remark causes outrage on social media

Max Verstappen fans were having none of it as they sarcastically took digs at the Petronas post. However, Lewis Hamilton fans came to their rescue as they defended their team sponsor.

One user said, “Clearly this is for the 8 straight WCC and Lewis is tagged in it because he was a part of those 8 WCC. It isn’t claiming Lewis won 8 WDC.”

Another user commented, “They sponsor Mercedes rather than Hamilton in particular. He’s won 8 WCCs with Mercedes. And those are the only WCCs that Merc have ever won (the WCC didn’t exist yet during their previous F1 iteration!)”

Meanwhile, one of the users replied “No lie detected”.

While some users defended Petronas’ 8x Champion remark, others were busy trolling the Mercedes sponsor

A user commented, “I would love it if Petronas called Lewis 8x champion then doubled down and congratulated Max on his first championship this season. Just give that shit a big ol’ stir.”

While another user sarcastically replied, “The season isn’t over yet! All it takes is Max, Charles, Sergio, George, and Carlos getting disqualified!”

Meanwhile, another user joked, “Admin is clearly a “Lewis Was Robbed” kinda guy”

The Singapore Grand Prix returns to F1 after two years of missing the action. Sebastian Vettel, who will race in his last Singapore GP is the most successful driver on this circuit. However, Hamilton will be looking to match his record by winning his 5th Singapore GP.

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It is safe to assume that Petronas has not forgotten last year’s Abu Dhabi controversy. While Lewis Hamilton might not have won on that occasion, he was definitely an 8-time title winner for Petronas. Do you think the Mercedes sponsors took it too far with their post?