Former F1 champion Damon Hill has weighed in on Max Verstappen’s bold claim about winning titles in both Lando Norris’ McLaren and Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes, referencing both the 2024 and 2021 seasons. The newly crowned 2024 champion stated that, had he been behind the wheel of either Norris’ McLaren or Hamilton’s Mercedes, he would have claimed the titles in those years much sooner. Hill’s response to Verstappen’s confidence was a sharp five-word reaction that praised the Dutchman’s audacity.
Verstappen clinched his fourth F1 title after a fifth-place finish at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, extending his lead to 63 points over McLaren’s Lando Norris. With only two remaining races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, Norris was unable to close the gap and challenge for the crown.
After securing the title, Verstappen was asked about the possibility of winning in Norris’ McLaren, to which he confidently responded that he would have wrapped up the title much earlier driving the McLaren. He also went further, stating that he would have been able to win the 2021 title in Hamilton’s Mercedes as well.
Damon Hill, reacting to Verstappen’s bold comments, shared the quote on Instagram with a succinct, yet telling, five-word post: “It’s called destroying the opposition.” Hill’s words have sparked conversation, especially given his previous criticisms of Verstappen’s aggressive driving style. After Verstappen received two penalties in Mexico City, Hill openly criticized the Dutchman’s on-track behavior.
Despite his occasional critiques, Hill has praised Verstappen’s abilities, particularly after the Red Bull driver secured his fourth championship title in 2024. Hill took to social media to applaud Verstappen and Red Bull’s dominance, writing:
“Got to hand it to @redbullracing and @Max33Verstappen. They absolutely smashed this generation of F1 regulations, and of course Max has driven brilliantly (occasional loss of self-control!). The event horizon of 7 titles looms into view. Maybe 8? That will keep us glued to @f1 #f1.”
With this victory, Verstappen joined an elite group of four-time world champions, matching the records of Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel. However, unlike Prost (who won with McLaren and Williams) and Vettel (who won consecutively with Red Bull), Verstappen’s triumphs have all been achieved with Red Bull, further cementing his place in F1 history.
Verstappen’s achievement also brought him into the same record bracket as former champions Nelson Piquet and Keke Rosberg, who also secured their titles in Las Vegas in the early 1980s. As the Dutch driver celebrates his fourth championship, the possibility of more titles continues to fuel excitement and speculation about his future in F1.
