Max Verstappen explains Lewis Hamilton impact on latest F1 title charge

Max Verstappen has revealed how his 2021 title fight with Lewis Hamilton has shaped how he is driving this season. The Dutchman’s maiden championship win came down to the final lap in Abu Dhabi, but he is cruising towards his third in 2023.

The 2021 World Championship will go down in history as one of the most entertaining F1 title fights ever with a fierce on-track rivalry developing between Hamilton and Verstappen.

That campaign saw the pair come together in race-ending crashes at Silverstone and Monza, while the Emilia Romagna and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix also proved to be key turning points in the rivalry.

Verstappen picked up some criticism in 2021 for his overly aggressive wheel-to-wheel driving, but the 25-year-old has been much more measured and calculated since Red Bull stamped their authority on the Constructors’ Championship battle.

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Speaking at the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen revealed: “It was a question of risk management. If I make a comparison with a few years ago, when I wasn’t fighting for the championship, I’m definitely driving completely differently.”

“But that’s OK. I mean, even driving like this, I know I have a car that is capable of doing a lot. That probably helps me to have a little bit more control, I think.”

Mercedes’ failure to produce a race-winning car at the start of the new regulation period meant that Hamilton wasn’t a factor in 2022 as Verstappen sealed back-to-back titles, and the seven-time world champion is not a threat to the Dutchman this season either.

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As things stand, Verstappen’s closest challenger in the championship is team-mate Sergio Perez, but the Mexican’s dismal run of form has allowed the 25-year-old to open up a likely unassailable 138-point lead at the top of the standings.

Speaking about his dominance to Sky Sports, Verstappen explained: “Of course, everyone can see and I also know that we have the best car, but some weekends go a bit better than others for all different kinds of reasons but I think so far when I look at myself for every single race weekend, I’m very happy with the performance.

“I mean, how much is related to the driver, and how much is related to the car? I know that a lot is related to the car, that’s how Formula One works, but I can’t be unhappy with my performances.”

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