Max Verstappen spoke out against the personal attacks aimed at his teammate Chris Lulham on social media during an endurance racing event in Portugal over the weekend. Verstappen, a four-time Formula One world champion, participated in the GT World Challenge on Saturday with his independent team, Verstappen Racing. Alongside him were British drivers Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat.

The event saw the trio compete as a team, but Verstappen later addressed the negative online commentary directed at Lulham, emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship and respect. The 26-year-old Dutch driver criticized the nature of the abuse and called for a more supportive environment within motorsport communities.

Verstappen’s involvement in the GT World Challenge marked a departure from his usual single-seater racing, demonstrating his interest in endurance racing and team-based competitions. Meanwhile, the social media backlash targeting Lulham highlighted ongoing challenges drivers face off the track, particularly when exposed to intense public scrutiny.

While Verstappen did not specify the comments in detail, his response underlines the pressures athletes endure in the digital age, where personal attacks can escalate quickly following on-track incidents or performance outcomes.

The incident has sparked broader conversations about the conduct of fans and the culture surrounding motorsport, with Verstappen’s defense of his teammate reflecting a growing concern for safeguarding the mental well-being of drivers amid increasingly vocal online audiences.