MAX VERSTAPPEN IN VICIOUS SWIPE AT LEWIS HAMILTON AND LANDO NORRIS OVER BRITS' FAILURES
Max Verstappen fired a dig at his British rivals - including Lewis Hamilton - as he mocked their winless run.
The Dutchman has been all conquering in Formula 1 since taking his first world championship back in 2021. After that closely fought battle with Hamilton the Red Bull driver has dominated the sport and is eyeing a fourth straight title this year.
He's already won all but one of the races at this early stage of the season with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz the only man to thwart him. Mercedes have struggled to return to their competitive best whilst McLaren are still someway off being able to challenge Red Bull.
It means that the British contingent - Hamilton, George Russell and Lando Norris haven't been able to regularly push for victories. Verstappen broke records for winning sequences last year and, during a live gaming session, made a joke about the lack of challenge from his rivals.
While playing EA FC with friends, the British national anthem could be heard playing over the top of the video and Verstappen bluntly said: “Haven’t heard that one in a while!”
Russell is the last Brit to stand on the top step of the podium. He led home a Mercedes 1-2 at Brazil in 2022. That remains the last race won by the Silver Arrows with Hamilton not tasting victory since back in Saudi Arabia in 2021. The veteran is eyeing one last win before he leaves Mercedes.
Norris meanwhile, who is known to have a strong relationship with Verstappen amid links with Red Bull, has never won an F1 race. He's finished second on numerous occasions but has failed to take the top spot during his career, which is now into its sixth season.
The McLaren driver now has the unwanted record of having the most podiums without a win in the history of the sport. He is determined to rid of that stat though and claim the chequered flag for the first time and is confident 2024 can be the year.
"I have already said it, I don't need any more confidence. There's more evidence [from China]," Norris told Sky Sports. "I said it at the beginning of the year that I think we can fight against Red Bull and we'll be able to get a win this year.
"It's not going to come easy. I don't think it will come for a while, but right day, right time, good conditions, things which suit our car a little bit more - 100 per cent I have the faith in the team and I have the faith in my ability to be able to pull it off. But it does need to be right place, right time. I don't think on average we're close enough for the time being. But I want to believe."
2024-04-26T07:26:47Z dg43tfdfdgfd