Max Verstappen revealed that Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff sent him a message of congratulations following an incredibly tense Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
The 2021 Formula 1 world champion said Wolff admitted that he deserved to win it, despite two protests being launched by the rival team.
Mercedes announced their intention to appeal the Abu Dhabi GP result after its controversial end led by a last-minute decision from stewards.
However, despite the madness, Verstappen, revealed that he had heard from Wolff, and said; “Toto sent me a text [saying] congratulations on the season, I deserved to win it.
“That was nice of him of course, emotions ran very high through that last lap from both sides of both teams.”
Speaking after the race, Verstappen referred to the heartbreak felt by Mercedes but said: “Of course it helps that you also have seven titles, I think that comforts him a bit.
“I think if it was the other way around, it would have been more painful for me because I didn’t have one!”
He also commended Hamilton for the way he conducted himself amid the disappointing outcome of the race for the silver arrows and said: “Lewis has been a great sportsman in general.
“He came up to me, congratulated me and it must have been very tough in that last lap. It also shows the respect we had for each other, in general.
“Of course we had our tough times through the season but in the end we were respectful of what we were doing and we were pushing each other to the limit the whole season. It has been really enjoyable racing against him.”
Verstappen will be crowned 2021 champion at the FIA Awards Ceremony on Thursday night.
