Hamilton gets power from ‘disrespectful’ sneer from Red Bull CEO

Lewis Hamilton says he gets strength and energy from a disparaging remark from Helmut Marko, the top man of Red Bull’s Formula 1 team. The seven-time world champion thinks Marko talked “disrespectfully” about him two weeks ago after the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, in which the British driver was put on a lap by winner Max Verstappen.

Marko said after the impressive performance at Imola by the Dutch leader of Red Bull that Hamilton might have been better off last year. The 37-year-old Briton dominated Formula 1 with Mercedes for years, but had to leave the world title to Verstappen in the final race last season after a blistering duel. The Mercedes is not yet fast enough this season to be able to compete for the victories.

“Honestly, I don’t listen to such stupid comments,” Hamilton said in Miami about Marko’s sneer. “They serve as fuel for me to come back stronger. I’ve seen quite a few disrespectful comments lately, but that was to be expected. People love you when things are going well and they love to talk to you kicking when things go bad. It’s part of life,” said the Mercedes driver. “I am who I am and I know what I’m doing. I love what I’m doing. The start of the season isn’t going the way we wanted, but we’re fighters. I’ve had much tougher times and always came back.”