A current F1 driver has claimed that Max Verstappen treats one driver differently from the rest during races – and it’s not Lewis Hamilton.
Four-time and reigning F1 champion Verstappen, 28, is currently third in the Drivers’ Standings after 18 Grand Prix races this term.
The Red Bull man, who has podiumed nine times and won four races in 2025, is currently trailing the McLaren duo of Lando Norris (second) and championship leader Oscar Piastri.
The Australian currently sits on 336 points, Norris has 314, while Verstappen has 273. Last week’s Singapore Grand Prix winner George Russell makes up the top four with 237 points.
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But it was none of the trio mentioned who supposedly get ‘special treatment’ from Verstappen on race day.
The 28-year-old is not one to mess about, both on and off the track, and pushes boundaries to gain advantages whenever he can.
Even in his post-race interviews, Verstappen has directly called out some of his fellow competitors - including Norris, who he claimed sabotaged his flying lap in qualifying ahead of the Singapore race.
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When it comes to respect, you’d expect seven-time F1 champion and current Ferrari driver Hamilton to be at the top of Verstappen’s list, but according to Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar, it is another driver who warrants the most respect.
"I've already met Charles Leclerc on the track, who's playing up front with Ferrari,” Hadjar told Canal Plus.
“And among the drivers who are good at overtaking, he's quite impressive. He sees a gap where there's no room to go, he goes for it anyway, and it works. He's very, very strong. On the track, Verstappen makes everyone miserable; he's the boss. But when it's Charles with him, I have the impression that he gives him a little more respect anyway.”
Leclerc is currently fifth in the Drivers’ Standing and boasts five podiums so far during the 2025 campaign.
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But what does the Monegasque make of Verstappen?
Although he has not directly addressed Hadjar’s comments about Verstappen supposedly giving him more respect, back in 2020, Leclerc admitted that he gets “more aggressive” when going up against the Dutchman.
“Our battles are close to the limit, but this is what fans want,” Leclerc said, relayed by Planet F1.
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“Rivalry is intense because we have grown up together, and it is probably a more aggressive battle compared to me and Hamilton. I feel I get more aggressive when I fight with Max.
“But outside the track, the respect is the same for Max and Lewis.”
F1 returns next week with the United States Grand Prix scheduled for Sunday, 19 October.
Topics: Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Motorsport, Formula 1
Luke Davies