Hamilton: 'The way Max behaves around me says it all'
F1 News
- GPblog.com
There is nothing like a fiery rivalry in Formula 1. But as fiery as the one between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen is something unique. The Englishman and the Dutchman came to a number of major clashes in 2021, which stirred up a lot in the racing world. In an interview with Channel 4 Lewis discusses how he views his rivalry with Max and Red Bull's success.
Some associate Lewis as a kind of "target" for Max, someone Max can rival and prove himself against. And that the young Dutch driver has proven himself has become clear in 2021 and 2022.
On the fact that the two are not best friends, Lewis says it is “pretty self-explanatory, I mean I think all you have to do is listen to the words certain individuals say about me competitor-wise, and then also just look back at the way those individuals behave on track around me.”
Understanding of Max's attitude
However, Hamilton does understand Max's attitude: “I’m sure it has to do with … the time that I've had here, the experience I’ve had here, the success I’ve had here, I would say I know because I remember when I got to the sport that target was someone else who had the success, and my goal was to challenge them. And, you almost wanted to show how tough you are, you always wanted to show how you were compared to that person.”
The Englishman also comments on Red Bull's success in 2022, initially stating that it was not easy. "I think it’s more the big ugly number 1 that’s as big as you can put it on the car. Nah, I was kidding!” he laughs. “I am not really phased by any of these things, as much as they, I think some people like to think that maybe they’ll say things, they’ll do things hoping for a reaction,” Hamilton said.
Whether 2023 will be the stage for another titanic battle like the one in 2021 remains to be seen. In any case, there is a lot of hope for such a scenario. Mercedes has managed to work their way back up the rankings through the 2022 season, and it looks like they could match Red Bull again in the new season. At least Lewis does not look at the rivalry with Max in a bad way - he respects the Dutchman's efforts.