Max Verstappen, the winner of the race, celebrated in parc ferme alongside Raymond Vermeulen, the Driver Manager, and his father Jos Verstappen. This occurred during the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was the first round of the Formula 1 World Championship on March 2, 2024.
Lewis Hamilton argues that drivers like Max Verstappen in Formula 1 must be cautious when it comes to involving a parental figure in their management team. According to Hamilton, there is a delicate balance that must be maintained.
The tension within the Red Bull team escalated after the Bahrain Grand Prix when Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, suggested that Christian Horner’s position as Team Principal was untenable. However, after an investigation, Horner was cleared of any allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a female colleague.
Despite Horner’s assurance that he has no doubts about continuing in his role, Jos Verstappen warned that the presence of the British Team Principal could potentially divide the Red Bull team.
Hamilton admitted that he had not been aware of the comments made by Jos Verstappen prior to being informed about them. However, upon hearing the contents of the comments, the Mercedes driver deemed them inappropriate.
“I don’t have all the details, so I can’t fully understand the basis of his opinion,” Hamilton stated. “But ultimately, he is not a member of the team; he is a parent. Therefore, his opinion, although valid, is not particularly helpful.”
Hamilton made his debut in Formula 1 in 2007 under the guidance of his father Anthony, and quickly rose to prominence, winning the championship in his second season with McLaren. However, their professional relationship became strained, leading them to part ways in 2010. Hamilton spoke from personal experience about the challenges of balancing a parent’s influence on a career while maintaining a strong connection. He emphasized the importance of the individual’s relationship with their parent, noting that some people have positive experiences with supportive parents, while others have had difficult relationships. Hamilton acknowledged that he is not familiar with Max Verstappen’s relationship with his own father, but believes that as a mature and successful champion, Verstappen is capable of making his own decisions. Hamilton also cautioned about the potential pitfalls of being swayed by outside influences in the world of professional racing, drawing from his experiences in other sports like tennis. He emphasized the need for proper guidance to make the right decisions and excel in one’s chosen field. Despite the challenges, Hamilton acknowledged that Verstappen is performing well, indicating that he has the necessary support and guidance. However, he highlighted the inherent difficulties that arise when business becomes intertwined with family relationships.