Lewis Hamilton accused of adding 'needle' to Max Verstappen feud by Christian Horner

Lewis Hamilton was to blame for making his title fight with Max Verstappen bloodier, according to Christian Horner. The Red Bull boss says Hamilton 'never recognized' Verstappen's ability which added 'more needles' to the battle.

Horner has admitted there is a 'different respect' between Verstappen and Charles Leclerc this season than there was against Hamilton last year. He made the comments on F1's Beyond the Grid podcast when asked why Verstappen seemed to give Leclerc more room than Hamilton last year.

Horner replied, "There's a difference. Maybe there's a different respect with Charles. They had run to each other when they were kids and there's a mutual respect. I've never heard of Lewis recognize Max's ability and so of course there was just a little more needlework to do.

"You could feel it and you could feel it between these two pilots." Pundits such as Martin Brundle and Karun Chandhok have also noticed Verstappen's calmer approach to Leclerc than to Hamilton.

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The defending champion was involved in fights with the Monegasque during the first races of the season, but never reunited. Meanwhile, Hamilton and Verstappen have faced each other twice and nearly come to blows in Brazil.

Earlier this summer, Verstappen looked at Mercedes' approach to race weekends as another reason why tension has flared. The Dutchman revealed he preferred this season's title fight with Leclerc as he was a "nice guy".

He also pointed out that Ferrari was a "highly respected competitor" and praised Red Bull for their success.

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Verstappen also revealed he has a good relationship with team boss Mattia Binotto and took the opportunity to lash out at Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and Hamilton. He explained: "Saturday night we even had a laugh at Paul Ricard, and I think that's great because that's what racing should be.

"We are tough competitors on the track and we will always try to fight, which is very normal, but apart from that you can also have a good time, and that's what I really appreciate this year. Let's put it this way, I wouldn't be on a table Saturday night laughing with (Mercedes)."