Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen's "wholesome" Canadian GP cooldown room chat sends F1 fans wild - Canada News Beep

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have been praised by fans for their “wholesome” cooldown room exchange following the Canadian Grand Prix.

After a tense 68 laps at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Hamilton and Verstappen crossed the line in second and third, respectively, securing another shared podium for the two drivers.

But as the adrenaline faded and the pair made their way to the cooldown room with race winner Kimi Antonelli, fans were treated to a heartwarming interaction between the two champions.

“I couldn’t shake you!” Hamilton smiled as they reflected on their heated on-track battle.

Verstappen responded: “The middle chicanes, every time you’d pull three tenths, but then I just got it back on the straight,” before Hamilton added, “It was mad.”

The Dutchman went on to compliment Hamilton’s performance around Turn 6 specifically.

“Listening to Max and Lewis was brilliant. Great to see those two fight again,” one fan commented on Reddit, while another added: “Their eyes were glowing in the interviews when talking about their battles, amazing to see!”

“Love the discussion they were having. Need a full-time podcast from them,” someone else posted, and another fan wrote: “I was blushing and kicking my legs seeing them compliment each other, their rivalry was/is something else, man.”

Since the 2021 season, Verstappen and Hamilton’s rivalry has been one of the most talked-about examples of the modern F1 era. While it became heated during the intense final season before F1’s move to ground-effect cars, it has since cooled and the two have often been seen enjoying each others’ company.

Other reactions included: “It was all fun and giggles, so wholesome”, “Two of the GOATs just talking shop. Love to see it,” and “I was really happy to see these two fighting for positions again. And it helped keep the race exciting after Russell’s retirement.”

Following the Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton currently sits fourth in the drivers’ standings with 72 points, just three behind his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc in third with 75 points. Verstappen is seventh with 43 points, five points behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in sixth, and 23 points ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly in eighth.

The next race will be the Monaco Grand Prix, which will take place in Monte Carlo from 5-7 June.

Photos from Canadian GP – Sunday