Topics: Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, Fan Reactions
Max Verstappen has been called out on social media after Formula One fans spotted what he did to rival Lewis Hamilton.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, F1 fans were treated to the first competitive action of the 2025 season as the qualifying sessions for the Australian Grand Prix got underway.
McLaren stole the show after finishing over half a second ahead of any other team, securing a 1-2 with Lando Norris securing pole position ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri.
Reigning champion Verstappen qualified behind the two McLaren drivers, but after the session fans have noticed one controversial moment involving the Dutch driver and Hamilton.
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Going into the qualifying session on Saturday, all eyes were on Hamilton as he competed in his first race weekend since leaving former team Mercedes to join Ferrari for the 2025 season.
Unfortunately for the seven-time world champion, the start of his time in red didn't go well, as he ultimately qualified in eighth, and fans think that Verstappen may have played a part in this disappointing result.
As Hamilton completed his last lap in the third qualifying session, he found himself behind Verstappen, and some fans are convinced that the Red Bull driver intentionally held Hamilton up to hinder his lap time.
Reacting to footage from the Ferrari driver's lap, one wrote: "Verstappen is a f*****g idiot. Did you guys just see what he did there?
"Look what he does from turn 5-6. He goes right to let him past but then turns left again all of a sudden. Clearly on purpose. What a filthy rat man. I hate this guy with a passion."
Another agreed, writing: "This guy always goes out of his way to f*** Lewis over."
While one added: "Straight-up scumbag move. He knew exactly what he was doing. That wasn’t racing, that was straight-up dirty play."
However, not all fans jumped to the conclusion that Hamilton's disappointing lap time had anything to do with Verstappen, as some replied to the post to defend the four-time champion.
One wrote: "Lewis broke at the braking marker lol. Do you want max to stop so he can pass? There was no room for both to move around the corner. Max took the driving line and turned when he should have. You're Just another Max hater."
While another added: "What was the problem here? Max took the racing line and when it was safe to let him pass he did, LH was never gunna go round him on the outside of the right turn."
