Lewis: Boos are fuel to go faster
LEWIS HAMILTON yesterday told Max Verstappen’s fans that he is fuelled by their boos after he secured a crucial pole position for today’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
Verstappen qualified third, four 10ths back, with Valtteri Bottas joining his Mercedes team-mate on the front row.
Moments after claiming his first pole in almost three months, Hamilton was subjected to jeers as he attempted to conduct his post-qualifying interview.
Indeed, the boos were so loud, that Hamilton was forced to lean in to hear Johnny Herbert’s question, as the former Formula One driver pleaded with Verstappen’s supporters to stop.
“Enough of that, enough of that,” he implored.
As the jeers began to fizzle out, Hamilton said: “I appreciate the great support I’ve had here.
“I’ve never actually felt so great with the booing. If anything, it just fuels me so I don’t really mind it.”
A fortnight on from Hamilton’s 180mph collision with
Verstappen on the first lap of the British Grand Prix, around 10,000 Dutch fans have made the journey across Europe to the Hungaroring. A dozen miles outside of Budapest, they are creating a hostile reception for Hamilton (above).
One banner read, ‘Sir Cheat: Karma is on its way’, in reference to Hamilton’s 10-second penalty at Silverstone.
There was also another poster of Hamilton mocked up as a crying baby in his Mercedes overalls.
With an air temperature of 30 degrees, and a track surface double that, Verstappen then lost his cool by swearing in the official FIA press conference.
Both Hamilton and Verstappen were asked by the moderator what will happen if they end up wheel-to-wheel at the start of this afternoon’s 70-lap race.
“Can we just stop this,” said a furious Verstappen. “We have had so many f ****** questions about this that it is ridiculous.
“On Thursday we answered this stupid s*** all the time, so can we just stop it, please?” Verstappen escaped sanction, but it is understood the Red Bull star will be reported if he repeats his foulmouthed outburst.
Hamilton (left) is now eight points behind the Dutch racer and will head into the summer break leading the championship if he wins, and Verstappen fails to improve on third.
Attentions then returned to the booing.
“People have a right,” said Hamilton. “This is sport and fans act wildly. It is competition and I don’t take it to heart. In the end, I must be doing something right to be up the front.”
Verstappen added: “It is not correct of course. But we are drivers and we shouldn’t get disturbed by these kind of things.”
Hamilton is the master of the Hungaroring.
This was his eighth pole here – one more than Michael Schumacher – and today he will bid to become the first man to win at the same venue on nine occasions.
He could also secure a landmark 100th victory.