Hamilton declares last laugh over Verstappen as...

Hamilton declares last laugh over Verstappen as…read more

Lewis Hamilton has emerged victorious in the final round of an intense rivalry with Max Verstappen, with a significant win coming from an unexpected source: the GPFans Poll for the best team radio message of 2024. Despite a challenging season where Hamilton’s performance with Mercedes seemed to slip, he managed to capture hearts and attention with a heartfelt farewell to his team after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. While Verstappen clinched a fourth consecutive drivers’ title in 2024, Hamilton’s emotional parting message resonated more deeply with fans, making it the standout radio moment of the year.

Hamilton’s win in the GPFans Poll came with 43 percent of the votes, far surpassing Verstappen, who received only 22 percent. Verstappen’s radio moment, which came during the Hungarian Grand Prix, was marred by frustration. He had been under investigation by the FIA for a collision with Hamilton, and his emotional outburst on the radio was directed at his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase. The situation escalated when Verstappen vented, using expletives to express his displeasure with the incident and the investigation. Lambiase responded calmly but firmly, telling Verstappen, “I’m not even going to get into a radio argument with the other teams over this Max. It’s childish, it’s childish.” This response quickly became controversial, as many fans and pundits initially believed the “childish” remark was directed at Verstappen himself.

However, Red Bull was quick to clarify that Lambiase’s comments were not meant to insult Verstappen but were instead a reaction to the unfolding drama surrounding the FIA investigation. Despite this explanation, the tension between the two drivers and their respective teams remained palpable. Verstappen’s fiery words at Lambiase drew criticism for its aggressive tone, while Hamilton’s heartfelt message was seen as a mature and emotional conclusion to his remarkable career with Mercedes, a team that had helped him secure record-breaking success in Formula 1.

The contrast between Hamilton’s graceful farewell and Verstappen’s outburst made for a compelling narrative. Fans seemed to appreciate Hamilton’s humility and professionalism, which ultimately led to his win in the poll. For Hamilton, this recognition serves as a small consolation for what was a challenging season. Despite not being in the championship fight, he managed to remain a fan favorite through his integrity and sportsmanship.

As for Verstappen, although he ended the season as the dominant force in Formula 1, his communications with his team, particularly during moments of frustration, seemed to overshadow his on-track accomplishments in this particular poll. The tension between him and Hamilton, especially after the Hungarian Grand Prix incident, continued to fuel the rivalry between the two drivers, which has been one of the most talked-about storylines in recent years.

Heading into the 2025 season, Hamilton can take pride in the fact that his farewell message resonated with fans, while Verstappen will likely continue to fuel his competitive fire. Both drivers will undoubtedly be contenders for the title again, with Hamilton aiming to challenge Verstappen’s dominance, possibly with a renewed sense of determination after joining Ferrari. Regardless of their future successes, the rivalry between Hamilton and Verstappen will likely remain at the forefront of Formula 1’s narrative, with both drivers continuing to push each other to new heights on the track.