Max Verstappen has hit back at Lewis Hamilton following the seven-time world champion's claim that his teammates at Mercedes over the years have always been stronger than those who have sat opposite the Dutchman at Red Bull.
Hamilton's comments were made ahead of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix and have triggered a lot of reactions from opposing camps on social media.
"When I qualified half a second, six tenths ahead of Valtteri [Bottas], they [the media] didn’t say the same thing as they say today when Max qualifies six tenths ahead of [Sergio] Perez," Hamilton told Sky Sports F1 on Thursday in Monza.
"It’s blown up much more. In my personal opinion, Valtteri and all of my team-mates have been stronger than the team-mates that Max has had.
"Jenson [Button], Fernando [Alonso], George [Russell], Valtteri, Nico [Rosberg]. I’ve had so many. These guys have all been very, very strong, very consistent and Max has not raced against anyone like that."
When questioned on his former arch-rival's view, Verstappen suggested that Hamilton's belief was rooted in a sentiment of "jealousy" sparked by Red Bull's current wave of supremacy in F1.
"Maybe he's a little bit jealous of our current success," argued the 46-time Grand Prix winner. "I don't know why he says that.
"Maybe he thinks there is something to win or defend with comments like that, but for me it doesn't matter at all."
For Verstappen, Mercedes – which won eight consecutive Constructors' titles in F1 – is clearly struggling to come to terms with no longer being the dominant force on the grid.
"I think it's very difficult for Mercedes to deal with losing," added Verstappen. "That's the problem you have when you've won for so many years of course.
"But, at the end of the day, you have to be realistic as well. If it's not possible [to win], then it's not possible. You have to be able to appreciate what other teams are doing as well. We did that in the years when Mercedes dominated.
"Back then we just said to ourselves 'we have to work harder', because at that time we were simply not good enough compared to them.
"You can keep saying that the things we are achieving at the moment are not that special, or at least that is probably what they think, but in the end, you just have to focus on yourself because that is the only thing you can influence."
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