But Hamilton and Mercedes will be looking to bounce back from a disastrous campaign and challenge for the titles. However, despite their frosty receptions for each other at times, Hamilton insists he has no issues with Verstappen – and talk of any such problems is “fairytales”. “He is a lot younger, so maybe he has a problem with me. Hamilton added: “He did everything he had to do in 2021, so why should I have a problem with him?. Hamilton and Verstappen will lock horns again for the first time in 2023 at the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5.

Follow MotorMouth on social media:

• 
• 
• 
•