“I wouldn’t say so”– Lewis Hamilton maintains his rivalry with Max Verstappen is not the most formidable challenge he faced in his career.
For the first time in the turbo-hybrid era, Lewis Hamilton is being challenged so intensively by a non-Mercedes driver. The Briton currently stands 12 points behind Max Verstappen in the championship.
However, Hamilton doesn’t think this is not the toughest challenge he has faced in his career, and there have been more robust battles he had in his past years.
“No, I wouldn’t say so,” he said when asked by Sky Sports. “I was thinking earlier on today about all the championships I’ve fought in since I was 10.
“And there have been so many difficult moments and they are all very similar in their own way, but all unique in their own way at the same time.”
The duo has given some exciting spectacles this season, with the recent most being in Austin. The Dutchman won against the seven-time world champion with a marginal difference to extend his lead in the table.
Lewis Hamilton optimistic
With the next two races held in Brazil and Mexico, Red Bull is touted to be at an advantage. However, Hamilton is still optimistic and claims his team has learnt from his mistakes and can bring him his eighth world title.
It’s not over!! pic.twitter.com/4RnG1an4RB
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) October 25, 2021
“It could be better in the sense we’ve dropped points, we’ve not always been perfect. But you live and learn. I feel like things have happened the way they have for a reason – we’ve learned a lot.”
However, Mercedes are still suffering from engine reliability issues that could hamper their title prospects. With Valtteri Bottas taking a staggering six engines this year, Mercedes lost points to Red Bull in this department.
Moreover, Mercedes would also be hoping to complete the season without giving a new engine to Hamilton to keep him for the title contention.
