Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen treated fans to one of the most spectacular title battles of all time in 2021. Their fight was so close, that it could only be decided on the final lap of the season finale in Abu Dhabi, although it went in Verstappen’s favor under controversial circumstances.
Hamilton and Mercedes’ pace faded away in the coming years, which put a pause on the intense rivalry they created with Verstappen. However, we have witnessed glimpses of their old rivalry in certain races, including the Australian GP last weekend. This time, however, the situation was very different, as F1 expert Ted Kravitz pointed out.
Kravitz, in a podcast for Sky Sports, spoke about the dynamic in Verstappen’s rivalry with Hamilton has changed. This ‘paradigm shift’ was pointed out after Hamilton’s brilliant move on Verstappen to jump the Red Bull driver on lap one of the Australian GP last weekend. Hamilton overtaking Verstappen was seen as a huge moment that could affect the Dutchman’s race and even the title defense.
In the past, Verstappen making a move on Hamilton would have similar effects, but the other way around. Hamilton was the unstoppable champion, with Verstappen trying his best to break the Briton’s dominance.
Lewis Hamilton risking it all to defeat Max Verstappen
Kravitz spoke about how Verstappen was always seen as the driver who was going above and beyond to defeat Hamilton. His moves on the seven-time world champion were always labeled as “too aggressive” but Hamilton seems to be doing the exact same now.
The fact that Red Bull have a far superior car to Mercedes means that Hamilton needs to create an extra edge for himself.
“Now you’ve got Hamilton challenging Verstappen,” Kravitz said. “Saying, ‘it’s no cares given’, ‘I’m out there to take all the risks’. Putting it back on the defending champion.”
“Hamilton knows he’s not going to win the championship this year. Not unless something really weird happens. So he can go in there and be aggressive with Verstappen. Knowing that he is probably going to have to give way.”
Hamilton’s first podium of 2023
2023 went off to a poor start for Hamilton, with Mercedes’ relatively slow pace hampering his chances of chasing a win. However, the Silver Arrows showed some real signs of progress at the Australian GP. George Russell and Hamilton started P2 and P3 respectively, with Hamilton standing on the second step of the podium after taking the chequered flag.
Russell was also looking strong, but unfortunately for him, an engine failure forced him to retire the W14. In Melbourne, Hamilton earned his first podium finish of the season. The Stevenage-born driver will be hoping for a similarly strong performance from the team when F1 returns in three weeks time in Azerbaijan.
