- Relationship changed ‘not in a positive way’, says Verstappen
- Race director warns that rule-breaking could see points docked
Tensions between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen ratcheted up again on Thursday before the Formula One season decider at this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The pair go into the season finale tied on points with their increasingly fractious relationship exacerbated by repeated incidents on track. With the possibility of the title being decided by a crash, Verstappen was unequivocal that his feelings toward the world champion had fundamentally deteriorated.
Incidents between the pair and their Mercedes and Red Bull teams – including two major crashes at Silverstone and Monza and most recently further untoward duelling at the last round in Saudi Arabia – have punctuated the season. Last weekend Verstappen was given two time penalties for driving infringements, including having been adjudged to have braked erratically in front of Hamilton causing him to hit the back of the Dutch driver’s Red Bull car.
