"Not part of the team"

Interfering too much? Lewis criticizes Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton (r.) has criticized Jos Verstappen (l.) for his statements.(Bild: GEPA pictures, Photoshop)

Jos Verstappen has added fuel to the fire with his warning that Red Bull Racing would explode if the Briton stayed with the team amid the furor surrounding Christian Horner (he allegedly sent sex messages to a female employee). But that is none of the world champion Max Verstappen's father's business, says Lewis Hamilton. 

"I don't know the details, I don't know what he's basing his statements on, but at the end of the day he's not part of the team, he's a parent. So that's just an opinion, but it's certainly not helpful," the Mercedes driver made clear during the Jeddah GP.

"It makes things complicated"
Hamilton knows what he is talking about, as he himself was mentored by his father at the start of his Formula 1 career. "As a driver, it's very easy to be misguided by people whispering in your ear and maybe not always leading you in the right direction," explained the 39-year-old. "It's difficult because your dad is just supposed to be your dad. When business comes into play, it makes things really complicated."

Max Verstappen (l.) with dad Jos(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

So complicated, in fact, that reports are now doing the rounds that Max Verstappen could leave the Bulls and join the Silver Arrows due to the differences between his father and team boss Horner. "I think Max is definitely on the Mercedes list," Hamilton is also convinced. A turbulent time in the Bull stable ...