'Give him a bit of a break, he's only trying his best': Tyson Fury defends Max Verstappen following Saudi Arabia Grand Prix criticism... as he compares F1 rivalry with Lewis Hamilton to James Hunt and Niki Lauda's battle in the 1970s

  • Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen heading into Sunday's race level on points 
  • The F1 season concludes with the final Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi 
  • The Dutchman came in for criticism for the tactics he used in Saudi Arabia 
  • But boxing star Tyson Fury has defended him, claiming he is 'only trying his best' 

Tyson Fury has come to the defence of Max Verstappen and has urged for him to be 'given a break' ahead of his tumultuous F1 world title battle with Lewis Hamilton  coming to an end this weekend.

The two drivers go into the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi on Sunday all square after an eventful Saudi Arabian Grand Prix which saw Hamilton win and Verstappen given two time penalties.

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Dutchman Verstappen has since come in for plenty of criticism for the tactics he employed, including from Martin Brundle, who claims he could end up damaging his legacy and be labelled 'an unfair driver'.

Tyson Fury has come to the defence of Max Verstappen and has urged for him to be 'given a break'
The title battle between Lewis Hamilton (L) and Verstappen concludes in Abu Dhabi on Sunday

However, WBC boxing champion Fury launched a staunch defence of the Red Bull driver, admitting he knows what it feels like to receive such criticism from the media. 

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The Gypsy King also wished both drivers well in the race that will end the season, and compared their rivalry to the historic one between James Hunt and Nicki Lauda 1973-79, which saw its peak when the former won the 1976 championship by a single point.

'Just been doing a bit of reading up about the F1 rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, how Max is being made out to be a bit of a bad boy in the media,' Fury said on his Instagram story.

Mercedes star Hamilton won in Saudi Arabia while Verstappen was given two time penalties

'I know what it feels like to be treated badly by the media. It's not nice, especially when you're young and your ambitious and you want to win.

'Give him a bit of a break, he's only trying his best. Good luck to both of them in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

'This rivalry reminds me a bit of James Hunt and Niki Lauda, racing for the title. Who is going to win it? C'mon the boys!'

Fury also compared their rivalry to the rivalry between James Hunt (L) and Niki Lauda (R)

Because Verstappen has more race wins (nine) than seven-time world champion Hamilton (eight), the Dutchman would win the title if neither he nor the Mercedes driver finished the race in Abu Dhabi. 

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Speculation has consequently been rife Verstappen could resort to ramming his rival off the track, while his dad Jos admitted that his son would do 'everything' to win the world title.  

'I don't think that will happen,' said the 49-year-old. 'Max absolutely wants to win. He will definitely go for it. He will clearly try to beat him. He will do everything to get the win, that's for sure. It will be exciting.'