Johnny Herbert has accused a Formula 1 legend of having a "lingering bitterness" towards Lewis Hamilton. His comment comes in the wake of that same fans' favourite's effusive praise for Max Verstappen over what the Dutchman achieved at Suzuka last weekend.

The Red Bull racer was not fancied by many for pole position. But he beat both McLaren cars to the top of the timesheets in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix with one of the most impressive Saturday laps of his whole career which just pipped Lando Norris to pole despite being in a slower car.

Verstappen went on to convert that pole into his first victory of 2025, again by holding off the faster McLarens that were on his tail. But even before that, Fernando Alonso was clearly left impressed by what the Dutchman had achieved.

"Only he can do it," said the Aston Martin racer. "I think there is no other driver at the moment that can drive a car and put it so high. Higher than the car deserves. I think it was a magical moment for everyone here."

It was when that comment was put to former F1 racer Herbert that the Brit suggested Alonso's admiration for Verstappen and his lack of individual praise for Hamilton who won for the first time as a Ferrari driver in the Chinese Grand Prix sprint earlier this year dates back to their unhappy union at McLaren many years ago.