The 2021 F1 season is nearing a thrilling end with two championship protagonists heading to Abu Dhabi on equal points. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton raced wheel-to-wheel in Jeddah but Hamilton came out as the ultimate winner after Verstappen was given a five-second penalty.

The fans have been rooting for such a rivalry for quite some time now. However, such rivalries brings a lot of tension in the paddock. Most recently, Hamilton was highly critical of Verstappen’s driving style in the Jeddah circuit after the Dutchman allegedly “brake-tested” him. However now, Hamilton took the high road while addressing the same scenario in a press conference.

Lewis Hamilton says he commented in ”heat of the moment”

Hamilton was furious with his title rival, after he went off the track around turn 1 to gain the lead from the Briton. He could be heard on the radio saying, “He’s crazy.” However, he recently revisited his opinion and this time was more mindful. Hamilton said that his comments were made in heat of the moment.

“When we are racing, we shout more. That happens in the heat of the moment, you burst with adrenaline so you shouldn’t take that too literally,” said the Mercedes driver as reported by Formule.1

He even went on to say that all the drivers have to be a little crazy while racing. “And let’s face it, as a driver you shouldn’t be a little crazy to do what we do. With the risks that come with it”, Hamilton chuckles at his competitor’s side during the press conference,” he added.

Hamilton is optimistic about Abu Dhabi

The season finale is around the corner and who would be more excited than the two title rivals themselves. Lewis Hamilton has faced 5 finale showdowns and he came out victorious in 2 of them. But this time he is coming into the decider with great momentum from the past three races.

However, there is speculation that Max Verstappen might knock his rival out from the race, even if it is at the cost of the Red Bull driver not finishing the race himself. Lewis Hamilton had a clear view about this speculation.

“I don’t pay attention to it. I’m here to win, to perform. And I trust that everyone comes here to win the right way. I shut out all that negativity.” said Hamilton as reported by Formule.1

“I know what’s allowed and what’s not, I don’t have to sit with Max to talk about rules. And what he says, we’ve had good races where things went well and a few lesser ones with incidents. I hope we have learned from it,” he added.

We are heading towards the Yas Marina Circuit for the much-awaited final of this season’s championship battle. Fans will be hoping that the fight is decided on the track and not in the stewards’ room.

Tell us what you think of this intense rivalry.