Damon Hill’s surprise reaction to Max Verstappen...

Damon Hill has made no secret of the very fact he isn’t Max Verstappen’s greatest fan. The 1996 world champion beforehand referred to as the Pink Bull driver a “cry child” and claimed he uses “fear and intimidation” against his rivals. Nonetheless, Hill had a easy, four-word response to the 27-year-old’s gorgeous Suzuka lap that secured him pole place at tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix. 

The four-time world champion, who’s normally calm and picked up over the crew radio, roared in delight when his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase confirmed that he was on pole. It got here as a shock given how tough the automotive has been to drive this season.

“We tried the perfect we may to get the very best steadiness for the automotive nevertheless it wasn’t straightforward even in qualifying, however in each session we simply stored on making little enhancements,” Verstappen informed reporters after the session. “I believe that is the place we made the distinction and the final lap was simply flat out, I imply round right here being on the restrict and perhaps even a bit over it at locations is extremely rewarding.” 

“To not be denied,” Hill wrote on Instagram after Verstappen secured the forty first pole place of his profession, and set a brand new observe report. He additionally re-shared Fernando Alonso’s response to the spectacular lap, wherein the Spaniard stated “no different driver” is at Verstappen’s stage. “True that,” Hill added. 

Hill has beforehand come below hearth for criticizing Verstappen, particularly at the end of the 2024 season when claiming he weaponizes “fear and intimidation.” Talking on Sky Sports activities on the time, Hill stated there was “some methodology to his angriness on observe.” 

“He, as he says, he is aware of what he is doing, however is it proper and is it honest? And I believe there’s additionally guidelines … to make sure equity, and we should not be condoning driving automobiles off the observe,” he stated. “I am clear about what I perceive Max to be,” Hill added, noting that he had been driving “dangerously” since he entered F1. “He is been like that, and he is been constant from the second he arrived in F1 in utilizing what was thought to be harmful ways.”