Lewis Hamilton Credited for Helping Max Verstappen Overcome His “Achilles Heel” Despite Sharing Fierce Rivalry

Remember the controversial 2021 championship battle in Abu Dhabi, the rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen has been nothing short of electrifying. The battle for supremacy in F1 took an intriguing turn at the Hungarian GP, as they battled fiercely for supremacy on the track, Max Verstappen’s search for formidable competition seemed to have found its answer in Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen secured yet another record-breaking victory yet it was Hamilton’s challenge ahead of him that pushed the Dutch sensation to overcome his Achilles Heel.

Max Verstappen’s remarkable win at the Hungaroring marked his seventh consecutive victory and Red Bull‘s 12th consecutive race win, breaking records in F1. In the midst of Verstappen’s dominance, Hamilton emerged as a formidable challenger from the pole position. As the race began, Hamilton’s start was solid, but it was Verstappen who executed a flawless launch, diving inside and claiming the lead at the first corner. However, amidst the fierce rivalry with Lewis Hamilton, the Dutch driver showcased a remarkable improvement in his Achilles Heel: his race starts and one-lap pace.

The F1 Nation podcast emphasized this aspect, stating, “You know how Max has been saying he wanted some competition this year, he has been inviting it, and I thought it was really significant that when it came in the form of Lewis Hamilton, the old enemy, let’s say, he put in his best start of the year. If there is one Achilles heel they’ve had this year, it’s been their start, it’s been a bit hidden mess. But when it really mattered, when the competition really came, he was the one that nailed it, and Lewis was the one that dropped the ball.”

Read more: ‘444’ Was All Max Verstappen Needed to Crush #44 Lewis Hamilton’s Dreams at the Hungarian GP

The GP not only showcased Verstappen’s mastery behind the wheel but also underscored the impact of a fierce rivalry on the track. While Max Verstappen’s record-breaking win at the Hungarian GP left him delighted, he couldn’t resist a light-hearted jab at his own career win tally.

Max Verstappen’s Playful Jab at the Number 44

With an unstoppable run towards a 3rd consecutive title, Max Verstappen has been showcasing his incredible. As he claimed his 7th consecutive F1 victory, he also achieved his 44th career win, a number synonymous with Lewis Hamilton’s career number. In the aftermath of the impressive triumph, Verstappen couldn’t resist some good-natured humor during the media interaction.

As the press conference buzzed with excitement after Verstappen’s victory, the Dutch driver couldn’t help but address his career win tally of 44. With a cheeky smile, he quipped that, “Hopefully, I don’t stay on 44. That would be terrible!” drawing laughter from the reporters present. Playfully, Verstappen expressed his eagerness to move on from that number and quickly reach 45 career victories.

What do you think will Verstappen continue his streak of victories, and can anyone find a way to turn the tide?

WATCH THIS STORY | Lando Norris’s Innocent Mistake in Referring to Lewis Hamilton May not Please Max Verstappen & Red Bull