Hamilton says Verstappen should ‘act like a world champion’ after expletive-filled exchanges at Hungarian Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton has hit out at Max Verstappen, urging the Dutch driver to act more like a world champion after a series of expletive-filled radio exchanges during the Hungarian Grand Prix. Verstappen faced significant criticism after he directed profanity-laden comments towards his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, and expressed frustration with Red Bull’s strategy, calling it “s***.”

Verstappen, who is set to serve a 10-place grid penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix for exceeding his engine component limit, responded defiantly, saying that critics could “turn the volume down” if they didn’t like his language. However, Hamilton, speaking at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, disagreed with Verstappen’s conduct.

“As a team leader or a team member, you have to act like a world champion,” Hamilton remarked when asked about his rival’s behaviour. When further pressed, Hamilton added, “Not like it was last weekend.”

Verstappen, meanwhile, stood by his actions, stating he had no intention of changing his approach. “If people don’t like my language, then don’t listen in,” he said. Verstappen justified his radio outbursts, explaining that his frustration was warranted due to a perceived mistake in strategy and his drive for perfection.