Karma Set to Bite Max Verstappen Back as Lewis Hamilton Dubbed to Give Him a Taste of His Own Medicine After Years of Aggression

What goes around comes back around to bite one in the back. Lewis Hamilton is getting ready to make Max Verstappen realize what it was like to be on the other end of the Dutchman’s 2021 shenanigans. Verstappen’s aggressive nature while driving made Hamilton’s life a nightmare. He not only had to think about his race but also premeditate Verstappen’s moves. However, with nothing to lose, Hamilton is on the rise to give Verstappen a taste of his own medicine.

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s rivalry has been one of the fiercest of the past decade. During the pre-ground effect turbo-hybrid era of Formula 1, Max Verstappen was always considered the aggressive one among the rivals. Whereas Lewis Hamilton was calmer, composed one who did not risk anything as he had a lot to lose. The major reason for this was Mercedes’ pace advantage over Red Bull due to which the Dutchman had to take risks. The collision between the two at the 2021 British GP was the perfect example of Verstappen risking everything.

However, since the Mercedes domination ended, leading to what looks and feels like a Red Bull domination, the two world champions seem to have switched roles. The Briton dive-bombed Verstappen, going into turn 1 at Albert Park after getting a better launch off the start. This caused the Red Bull driver to run wide to avoid a collision. This confirms the seven-time world champion’s decision to be the aggressive one, leaving Verstappen to do all the planning. Ted Kravitz suggests now that Hamilton doesn’t have a lot to lose, he can step into the Dutchman’s shoes and be the aggressor.

According to F1maximaal.nl, Ted Kravitz said, “What fascinates me is that we now have a complete turnaround in the Mercedes-Hamilton seasons from 2014 to 2021, when Hamilton went for the championship, knowing he has the fastest car and has to play it safe,” “You had the novice Verstappen who challenged him and also wanted to participate in the battle. And now you have Hamilton challenging Verstappen and saying, I don’t care, I’m there to take all the risks, and leave the next move to the defending champion.'”

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With the Mercedes driver taking the risks and being aggressive, Verstappen has to be the one who needs to think ahead and avoid collisions while playing it safe. The 25-year-old’s decision to let Hamilton go knowing he’ll catch the Brit with the pace of RB19 shows his maturity. However, the Australian GP Lap 1 incident tells a lot about Hamilton’s mindset as well.

Has Mercedes’ inability to provide a competitive car made Lewis Hamilton careless?

With George Russell finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the 2022 Driver’s Championship, one would not be wrong to say that the seven-time-world champion seems a little off his best. Ted Kravitz believes Hamilton has fallen off as he does not have a competitive car under him. He suggests the 38-year-old does not care if he loses to his teammate as he’s not challenging for the title. Hamilton only steps up when he’s challenging for the title.

According to skysports.com. Ted Kravitz said, “I don’t know this for sure. But I imagine, if I was Lewis Hamilton and I wasn’t in for the championship, I’d be like, ‘well, I’m not going for the championship so if George beats me, I don’t really care’. You could reflect on 2022 like that.” He further added, “We’ve seen in the past that Lewis takes a step up when he’s challenging for the championship.”

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What do you make of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton switching roles?