F1 News: Damon Hill Reignites Criticism of Max Verstappen

Damon Hill has once again found himself at the center of Formula 1 controversy, this time launching fresh criticism at reigning World Champion Max Verstappen. The 1996 World Champion has defended himself and Sky F1 against accusations of bias, claiming that Red Bull Racing struggles to accept any criticism of their star driver and strategically deploys claims of “British bias” to deflect scrutiny.

Hill, who has previously voiced strong opinions on Verstappen’s aggressive driving style, refuted suggestions that he harbors an anti-Verstappen sentiment. However, he did not hold back in his latest remarks, suggesting that if Verstappen were subjected to the same level of criticism as other drivers, he would “cry like a baby.”

“I’m not anti-Max,” Hill clarified, responding to backlash from Red Bull’s fanbase. “But you have to admit that when scrutiny is directed at him, the response is far from gracious. If the roles were reversed, we would be hearing an entirely different tune from Max and Red Bull.”

Red Bull has often accused British media outlets, including Sky F1, of unfairly targeting Verstappen while favoring drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. The energy drink-backed team has a history of pushing back against criticism, most notably boycotting Sky F1 coverage in 2022 after tensions escalated during the season.

Hill’s latest comments reignite the ongoing friction between former F1 champions and the younger generation of dominant drivers. While Verstappen remains at the pinnacle of the sport with his relentless performances, not all past champions have been as enthusiastic about his approach.

In another headline-grabbing moment from pre-season testing, Lewis Hamilton has wasted no time in making an impact with his new team, Ferrari. The seven-time World Champion clocked a faster lap time in Q3 conditions than Ferrari managed during the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, setting an early benchmark with the all-new SF-25.

Hamilton, who is transitioning from a 17-year-long partnership with Mercedes, continued his adaptation to Ferrari machinery in Thursday’s session. His impressive lap time put him 0.399 seconds ahead of his former teammate George Russell, proving that he is already pushing the limits of his new ride.

While Hamilton was making waves with Ferrari, Red Bull endured a frustrating session as Liam Lawson, standing in for Verstappen, was limited to just 28 laps due to a water pressure issue on the RB21. The setback marks a rare moment of vulnerability for Red Bull, who have been dominant in recent seasons.

Despite the mechanical troubles, Red Bull remains the team to beat, with Verstappen entering the 2025 season as the overwhelming favorite. However, Ferrari’s early promise and Hamilton’s relentless drive could signal a much closer battle than many anticipated.

As the 2025 season approaches, tensions are already running high. With Hill reigniting debates about Verstappen’s driving style and Red Bull’s handling of criticism, and Hamilton making early strides with Ferrari, the battle lines are being drawn both on and off the track.

Formula 1 thrives on rivalries, and this season is shaping up to be a dramatic clash between generations, teams, and ideologies. Whether Hill’s comments will affect Verstappen’s mindset remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this year’s F1 campaign will be anything but dull.

Stay tuned for more updates as pre-season testing continues and the grid prepares for another thrilling year of racing.