Verstappen on relationship with Hamilton: 'We're not gonna have dinner together'

“It’s good. I mean, we’re how competitors should be. We’re not exactly going to have dinner together but that’s fine. You have that competitive spirit and we always try to beat each other on track, but also try to respect each other off track as well. So far there have been some tense moments, but overall it’s been all right", Verstappen says when asked about his relationship with Hamilton.

Partly due to the title fight, the Dutchman is getting a lot of media attention. "I know what I have to know in F1, within the team, and I’m not really interested in all the other stories around. I don’t want to follow it. I don’t want to see it on my feed. I just focus on having my own time with family and friends when I’m at home. If I am on social media, I don’t want to see a racing car.”

Still a long way to go

Even after the incidents at Silverstone and Monza, the media had no influence on him, Verstappen stresses. "It’s not going to influence anything I do on the weekend, on the track, or my performance, so it’s just a waste of time to look at it. I prefer to spend the free time I have with my family or friends.”

Verstappen also speaks soberly about the final stages of the season. "There’s still a long way to go. I’m not much of a dreamer, so I don’t really think about Abu Dhabi [the season finale] too much yet. I just go step by step, and race by race to try and get the most possible points, every time.”