The rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, made historic by the events of two years ago, has been rekindled in the latest races. The two fought an entire season, that of 2021, until the grand final in Abu Dhabi, but from the following year the music changed. There Mercedes it had to deal with two single-seaters less competitive than the previous ones, which excluded it from the world championship fight. Max competed against another driver, closer in age to him, Charles Leclerc. The two fought especially in the first part of the season before the red team's performance dropped. On the other hand, Red Bull grew, presenting an almost perfect single-seater for the following season, the RB19.
In 2023 Max Verstappen found only one enemy, his teammate, Sergio Perez. However, the fight between the two never took on the tone and appearance of another internal clash like the one between Hamilton and Rosberg. The Mexican has not shown that he has the consistency and pace to be able to worry the two-time world champion. But Who could worry Max with the same car? Well, Hamilton tried to imagine exactly this scenario…
Hamilton: “Max wouldn't have as much fun with me as he does now”
In the first part of the season the Dutchman achieved 10 victories in 12 races, securing a seemingly unassailable lead, 125 points clear of teammate Sergio Perez. A reason that has also taken many spectators away from F1, which is less attractive with this overwhelming dominance. Lewis Hamilton, one step away from his eighth world title in 2021, in Belgium, had to settle for fourth place, when Max achieved a landslide victory despite starting sixth. There is no battle with Perez either. The Mexican finished second in Spa but 20 seconds behind his teammate. His future in Red Bull has been questioned several times, and the provocations are now also coming from the other drivers.
“Do I want to be as fast as them? Certain - brought English back to Canal+. And would I like to have a car as fast as theirs? Certain". Lewis knows that if he were in Perez's situation there would certainly be more action on the track, and that Max would also be less calm. “If I had been in Sergio's car, Max wouldn't be having the time he is having now.".
Also according to Helmut Marko Lewis could be the only driver capable of fighting with Max with the same car. Who knows what a line up made up of these two champions would be like.
Source statements: FormulaPassion
