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Lewis Hamilton has attracted plenty of criticism this weekend following his comments about Max Verstappen\u2019s F1 team-mates. The seven-time world champion was left red-faced after qualifying on Saturday, finishing three places below the Dutchman\u2019s colleague, Sergio Perez.<\/p>\n
The legendary Briton had previously insisted that Verstappen\u2019s team-mates in F1 have been far weaker than those that he has faced during his time in the sport with Hamilton coming up against and getting the better of the likes of Fernando Alonso, Nico Rosberg and Jenson Button.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately for Hamilton, these words came back to bite him later in the weekend. The British driver went fastest of the field in Q1 but struggled to replicate that pace in the other two qualifying sessions.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Sky Sports F1\u00a0about the Dutchman\u2019s domination this season, Hamilton explained: \u201cI\u2019m no more impressed than when Michael [Schumacher] was leading, when Sebastian was leading when Kimi [Raikkonen] was driving, when Fernando [Alonso] was winning \u2013 it\u2019s just the same. I think the [Red Bull] team as a whole is one of the strongest, they\u2019re firing on all cylinders right now.<\/p>\n
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive F1 news.<\/strong><\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> Lewis Hamilton leaves Nico Rosberg perplexed with ‘strange’ attack on Verstappen[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe car is incredible, the drivers are doing an amazing job, very consistent, the pit crew is doing a great job, the mechanics are doing a good job, strategy is doing a good job \u2013 on point, you can\u2019t fault them.<\/p>\n \u201cIn my personal opinion, all my team-mates have been stronger than the team-mates Max has had: Jenson [Button], Fernando, George [Russell], Valtteri [Bottas], Nico [Rosberg]. I\u2019ve had so many. These guys have all been very, very strong, very consistent \u2013 and Max has not raced against anyone like that.\u201d<\/p>\n More F1… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n When the chequered flag waved in Q3, the 38-year-old was forced to settle for P8 on the starting grid for Sunday\u2019s race, placing him behind Williams driver Alex Albon and McLaren\u2019s highly-rated rookie Oscar Piastri.<\/p>\n Crucially though, he also qualified behind Sergio Perez, whom his criticism earlier in the week had directly targeted. The seven-time world champion also qualified behind his team-mate George Russell, who has had the measure of Hamilton throughout the race weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n Such a disappointing showing in the immediate aftermath of these comments has drawn some criticism and amusement from fans of other drivers, who took to social media to demonstrate their feelings. X user @DonnyVerstappen observed: “All Verstappen his (Ex) teammates out qualified Hamilton\u2026”<\/p>\n @kermitnirmit was also unimpressed by the legendary Brit, noting: “All of Hamilton\u2019s ex teammates (and Hamilton himself) are behind Perez on the standings too,” while @abrahams_kyle asked: “Where\u2019s hamilton again? That\u2019s right, behind a Williams, a rookie, Perez and his teammate. Concentrate on yourself.”<\/p>\n
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FIA decide whether to strip Carlos Sainz of pole position with Verstappen beaten[ITALIAN GP] <\/strong>
Lando Norris raises injury concerns at Italian Grand Prix[NEWS] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/73\/590x\/secondary\/Sergio-Perez-Monza-4940867.jpg?r=1693741237463\")
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