Damon Hill’s Bad Luck and the Max Verstappen Controversy: A Tale of Unfortunate Events and Lingering Rivalries

Former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill recently shared a frustrating experience on social media after his car was broken into in Central London. Hill, who won the 1996 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, posted an image of his damaged Polestar 2, which had its rear windscreen shattered while parked in what he thought was a secure location. Venting his frustrations on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Hill expressed disbelief at the incident, given the location’s supposed security measures. He was parked in an area monitored by CCTV and security guards, leading him to question how such a crime could occur in a place that should have been safe.

“Believe me. You don’t want my feedback. Central London. CCTV. Security guards. WTF?” Hill wrote, capturing his utter disbelief and anger. The image showed the damage to his electric vehicle, and Hill’s words conveyed just how disheartened he was by the situation. However, despite his misfortune, the online reaction was not entirely sympathetic. A user replied to Hill’s post, referencing the long-standing rivalry between Hill and current Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen. The commenter cheekily remarked, “I’m surprised you haven’t said it’s Max Verstappen’s fault,” alluding to the contentious history between Hill and the Dutch racing driver.

This comment served as a reminder of the broader dynamics surrounding Hill’s recent career as a Formula 1 pundit, particularly his time with Sky Sports and his public disputes with Verstappen. To understand the context of the joke, it is essential to revisit Hill’s time as a commentator and the tensions that arose between him and Verstappen in recent seasons.

Hill, who became a regular analyst for Sky Sports F1 in 2012, was often praised for his insightful commentary. However, during the 2024 season, he became a subject of criticism, particularly from Verstappen and his supporters. Verstappen accused Hill of displaying favoritism toward British drivers, which led to some tense moments in the F1 commentary booth. The tension between Hill and Verstappen reached a peak after the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, when Verstappen made pointed remarks about Hill’s perceived bias. The fallout from this dispute caused enough friction that, by the end of the season, Hill decided to step down from his role at Sky Sports.

The resignation marked the end of Hill’s association with the network, and he did not return for the 2025 season. In a candid statement, Hill explained that he had faced “push back” throughout his final year at Sky Sports, and it was clear that the public spats, particularly with Verstappen, had taken a toll on his relationship with the broadcaster.

Hill has since moved on from Sky Sports and joined the BBC as an F1 pundit. However, the shadow of the Verstappen allegations and the accusations of bias have followed him. Despite moving to a new platform, Hill still faces jabs and reminders of the controversies from his time with Sky. The social media comment referencing Verstappen was a prime example of how the past rivalry still lingers, even in moments unrelated to Formula 1 itself.

In response to the comment about Verstappen, Hill took the opportunity to humorously clap back. He responded with a playful and sarcastic reply: “It was! I saw him! I’m reporting him to the Met! Actually, I don’t think he thinks about me for a moment. But thanks for the mention!” Hill’s ability to engage with online critics shows that despite his serious reputation as a racing legend, he can still hold his own in the world of social media banter.

The episode, while centered around an unfortunate incident with his car, also highlights how Hill’s interactions with Verstappen continue to affect him. It serves as a reminder that in the world of F1, rivalries don’t always end when the race season does. Hill’s lighthearted response demonstrates that, despite the ongoing debates and criticisms, he is determined to move forward with his career—whether it’s in his new role as a BBC pundit or dealing with the occasional online jest. As for the car break-in, it remains an unfortunate blip in Hill’s otherwise storied life, but at least it gave him a chance to show he can take a joke, even when it comes at his expense.