Daniel Ricciardo Caught in the Crossfire as Lewis Hamilton Forgives Arch Nemesis to Insult Max Verstappen

In sports, rivalries burn brightly, and friendships can be as fleeting as a pit stop, but none quite as intense as the ongoing battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. And Lewis Hamilton has dropped a bombshell that not only challenges Max Verstappen’s racing credibility but also inadvertently puts Daniel Ricciardo in an uncomfortable spotlight. While Verstappen is lauded for his lead in the WDCs, Hamilton raises questions over the caliber of teammates the Dutchman has had to face. The 7-time champion’s comments are a fascinating affront, not just to Verstappen, but to anyone who’s ever sat in the Red Bull cockpit alongside him—casting an extra layer of intrigue over a grid already brimming with tension.

Max Verstappen’s star has been on the rise, with the Dutch driver leading the World Driver’s Championship at 339 points, towering over his teammate Sergio Perez’s 201 points—a 138-point gap. And it’s not just Perez; even former Red Bull drivers like Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon found themselves eclipsed by Verstappen’s brilliance. Daniel Ricciardo, however, presents an exception. The Australian had an impressive stint at Red Bull Racing, leaving the team on a high note, which now prompts questions about the level of Verstappen’s competition within his own team. But it seems that in Hamilton’s chess game, Ricciardo has unwittingly become a pawn.

Taking the opportunity to strike while the iron’s still lukewarm, Hamilton recently remarked, “Jenson, Fernando, George, Valtteri, Nico. These guys have all been very strong, and very consistent. Max isn’t racing against anyone like that.” It’s a bold statement that begs the question—Is Verstappen’s dominance a result of a less competitive teammate setup? It’s an underhanded compliment to Rosberg, but it has the unintended side effect of also casting Daniel Ricciardo, renowned for holding his own against Verstappen during their Red Bull days, into a perplexing light.

Read more: 1 Day after Signing $127,000,000 Deal with Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton Fires Gloomy Update

As Hamilton’s comments reverberate, they open up a Pandora’s box of debates around teammate competition and the caliber of drivers Verstappen has faced. But what it also inadvertently does is highlight a gray area involving Ricciardo, a driver known for his grit and skill. While Hamilton’s comments seem to unsettle the waters, sparking debates about the worthiness of Verstappen’s teammates, Christian Horner offers a different viewpoint that speaks volumes.

Christian Horner Weighs in on Lewis Hamilton’s Max Verstappen Jibe

Hamilton may have raised questions about the competitiveness of Verstappen’s teammates, but Christian Horner had something else to say. Dismissing Hamilton’s criticism, Horner points out that Verstappen’s consistent triumphs are not solely a reflection of weak team competition, but an indicator of his prowess against the entire F1 grid.

Horner directly responded to Hamilton’s jab, stating, “He’s had several team-mates, obviously he’s always had the upper hand on his team-mates. But it’s not just been about competing against team-mates. It’s about competing against the rest of the field as well. And I think that Max has clearly demonstrated what he’s capable of. And indeed, some drivers might not even want to drive alongside him!” He goes further to mention how ironic Hamilton’s comments are, considering it was Verstappen who broke Mercedes’ years-long domination in 2021.

WATCH THIS STORY: Lewis Hamilton Exposing Mercedes’ Mistake Termed a Blessing in Disguise After Miraculous Turnaround

What do you think about Lewis Hamilton’s comment?