Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen Show Respect Amid Grid Penalty Controversy

In a surprising turn of events, following the qualifying round of the Monaco Grand Prix, rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were spotted shaking hands. The Ferrari driver, offering an immediate apology, was responding to an incident where Hamilton had inadvertently impeded his path. This heartwarming moment of sportsmanship quickly spread across social media platforms, receiving widespread praise.

Grid Penalty for Hamilton After Miscommunication Error

Hamilton found himself facing a three-place grid penalty after he was given incorrect information from his team during the incident. With Verstappen on a push lap, Hamilton was misinformed that he was slowing instead, leading him to accelerate unintentionally into Verstappen’s path. The Dutch driver had to take evasive action and abort his lap.

Both drivers expressed their irritation over the error. Hamilton was equally frustrated by the mistake, while Verstappen communicated his adrenaline-fueled annoyance to his race engineer.

Verstappen Quick to Acknowledge No Fault on Hamilton’s Part

After qualifying, where Max qualified fifth and Lewis fourth (fourth and seventh respectively with the penalty applied), Verstappen was quick to note it wasn’t Hamilton’s fault. “Of course at the time you see the car blocking you and when you’re there at high speed, it’s not nice,” he admitted to Sky Sports. “But then I saw immediately that the team told him that I was driving slow, while I was clearly driving fast.”

He further added, “So it’s not Lewis’ fault. I quickly chatted to Lewis already about it. It’s very simple, but of course it can’t happen. But that’s the team’s mistake.

Fans Praise Drivers’ Exchange and Championship Rivalry

Social media users were quick to respond to the two drivers’ exchange, especially after witnessing their intense rivalry during the 2021 season. One commenter wrote on Motorsport’s Instagram post, “Two real gentlemen.” Another added, “Brilliant sportsmanship from these two goats respecting each other knowing it was a radio error and not a driver mistake.” A third noted, “Shows that their championship rivalry is purely a professional one and not a personal matter.

Netflix’s Drive to Survive Mentioned in Fan Joke

One fan jokingly mentioned Netflix’s Drive to Survive, saying, “Netflix will turn this to a full-blown argument.

Mutual Respect Between Drivers Highlighted Ahead of Miami Grand Prix

Verstappen further highlighted the mutual respect between these drivers ahead of the Miami Grand Prix as he recognised Hamilton’s keen work ethic. “You see that, by the way?” he asked the camera. “Seven-time World Champion, four-time World Champion – the first in.”

On-Track Rivalry vs Off-Track Relationship

This incident serves as a reminder that what happens on-track very rarely mirrors what goes on off-track.