Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton go viral after "wholesome" Sepang F1 moment - Motorsport.com
Formula 1 drivers Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton shared a friendly moment after qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Fans reacted positively to the display of sportsmanship between the two long-time rivals.
Why it matters
The interaction highlights the evolving relationship between two of the sport's most prominent figures amidst intense competition.
A "wholesome" moment between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton has gone viral after qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
Verstappen secured the first non-Mercedes-powered pole position of the 2026 season at the Sepang International Circuit. Hamilton qualified second for Ferrari, marking his fifth consecutive front-row start at the circuit.
Despite their contentious history, the two champions were photographed warmly congratulating each other in parc ferme after climbing out of their cars.
Fans were quick to praise the moment on social media. "Divorced couple, but happy for each other," one wrote on Reddit, while another added: "Wholesome, but I also felt that Hamilton was trying to stay away from MBS as long as possible."
"If only the fans could show as much respect for each other as these two champion drivers do," someone else wrote.
Also covering this story
13 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton go viral after "wholesome" Sepang F1 moment
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