"Rent free": Fans react to Lewis Hamilton's comments that he was also a victim of Max Verstappen's aggressive driving

F1 fans were left reeling after Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton commented on his rival Max Verstappen's aggressive driving style after the latter's recent incident with Lando Norris at the 2024 US Grand Prix last weekend. The Red Bull driver was doing his best to keep his championship rival Norris behind him in the latter stages of the race at the Circuit of the Americas to defend P3.

After the McLaren driver made the move on turn 12 in the final few laps of the race, the three-time world champion came back off the rakes and pushed him wide which resulted in the former overtaking outside the track. After Norris refused to give the position back to Verstappen, he was given a five-second penalty which demoted him back to P4.

Ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton gave his take on the battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris as he cited the example of his battles with the Dutch driver and told Sky Sports:

"It's always been a grey area. That's why he's got away with it for so long. As a sport, we do need to level up on all areas. You look at other global sports, they have full-time refs, and I'm sure that wouldn't be a bad thing for our sport.

"I experienced it many times with Max. You shouldn't be able to just launch the car up the inside and be ahead and then go off, and still hold the position."

F1 fans took to social media to give their reactions to Lewis Hamilton's recent comments on Max Verstappen on X, with one fan insinuating that the 27-year-old was always on Hamilton's mind:

"Rent free."

"Does he mean like himself multiple times against Rosberg?" wrote another.

"Why's the 2021 Abu Dhabi picture in there? Max overtook Lewis on track and then Lewis went off to retook the position," said a fan.

"Yeah let’s change the rule you should be able to just tap peoples rear tyre every single race til they’re out of the way," claimed another.

"He did it himself many times. All drivers do it!" wrote another.

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Max Verstappen chimes in on his defense against Lando Norris

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen said it was not allowed to pass outside of the track limits which was clearly mentioned in the rules.

Speaking with F1.com, the Dutch driver said:

“At the end of the day, you cannot overtake outside of the white line. That’s a very clear rule and I’ve been done by it myself. It’s how the rules are written.

"I didn’t make the rules, first of all, I just follow the rules as much as I can. Of course, sometimes you get caught out with it, we’ve had that in the past. I just implement the rules and play with them.”

Max Verstappen managed to extend his lead over Lando Norris by five points at the end of the US Grand Prix weekend and now leads him by 57 points with five races and two sprints remaining.