Lewis Hamilton's former friend publicly called him outL

“I respect him as a sportsman, but in private he’s not on my level”: When Lewis Hamilton’s former friend publicly called him out.

Adrian Sutil, a former Formula 1 driver, once openly criticized Lewis Hamilton, claiming he respected the British driver’s skill in racing but didn’t view him as an equal on a personal level.

Sutil and Hamilton had been friendly early in their careers, but the friendship unraveled following a 2011 incident after Hamilton’s win at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Sutil was involved in an altercation at a nightclub where he allegedly injured Lotus executive Eric Lux with a champagne glass, leading to charges of bodily harm. Sutil reportedly hoped Hamilton would support him by testifying on his behalf, but Hamilton declined to do so.

Feeling betrayed, Sutil criticized Hamilton publicly, expressing disappointment and describing Hamilton as someone he no longer respected outside of the racing world.

Following the incident, Sutil received an 18-month suspended sentence and a fine of £167,000. He acknowledged that their friendship was effectively over, stating he valued relationships with people he could genuinely learn from.

Sutil said he was glad to have discovered Hamilton’s true character sooner rather than later, adding that he appreciated separating personal relationships from the business of racing. Although he continued to acknowledge Hamilton’s talent on the track, Sutil seemed relieved to move on from their friendship.

Another Formula 1 star, Fernando Alonso, also has a rocky history with Hamilton. The two were teammates at McLaren in 2007, where they clashed frequently, with tensions leading to Alonso’s departure from the team after just one season.

Alonso recently reflected on their tumultuous time together in a DAZN documentary, describing how they were often in close quarters—sharing garages, attending team meetings, and traveling together.

This constant proximity, coupled with their competitive nature, led to friction and confrontations. Alonso admitted that he and Hamilton were both young and immature at the time, which exacerbated their rivalry.

Alonso expressed doubt that he and Hamilton could ever be friends, noting that they lacked much in common and their relationship was primarily driven by their roles in the sport.

Despite their past conflicts, both drivers have continued competing at the highest level, often battling for top positions well into their 40s.

The relationships between Sutil, Hamilton, and Alonso reveal the challenges of maintaining personal connections in a highly competitive environment like Formula 1.

While racing demands intense focus and ambition, these rivalries illustrate how personal differences can impact team dynamics and friendships.

For Hamilton, whose dedication to his career remains his focus, such conflicts underscore the complexities of professional sports relationships.