Where there is competition, there is always a bit of one-upmanship going on between the two competitors. That is, after all, the essence of competition. Every sport in the world experiences such rivalries. Just as Messi and Ronaldo, Federer and Nadal, and Michael Jordan vs. Isiah Thomas, Formula 1, in the current era, has Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

The intense rivalry took a step back in the current 2022 season. However, last year’s tussle for the ultimate glory will not be forgotten by F1 fans all across the globe. Multiple high-speed clashes between the two made for spectacular viewing. The two pushed each other to the limit until the very end in one of the most entertaining duels in the sport’s history.

That is exactly what a sense of true competition does to a sportsperson. It pushes them! The same thing might be true for Hamilton in 2021 as well. However, Verstappen did not need any added motivation, he admitted in an interview.

When asked if Hamilton pushed him to another level, Verstappen expressed his source of motivation by saying, “For sure you know there’s a bit of this competitiveness where you push yourself, maybe even more, to the edge. But I think it was always important, that’s what my dad also told me, ‘you don’t need anyone else to push yourself to the limit. you should always push yourself’.”

“That’s how I grew up. So I don’t think anyone has pushed me to another level,” he said.

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For everyone at home wondering what motivates the two-time world championship, there’s your answer! It’s the hunger within the Dutchman that makes him perform at the level every race weekend.

However, Verstappen did not completely count the Mercedes man out.

Self-motivated Max Verstappen said the completion from Lewis Hamilton did factor in

The Red Bull man is highly motivated from within to let any outside factors make an impact. However, he felt the heat from Hamilton, which could’ve helped him go a tenth faster.

“But of course, when you have amazing and great competition, you might find half a tenth more or whatever. But you always try, or at least I try, to find that half a tenth by myself by questioning how can I do things different or how can I actually improve,” he concluded.

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Despite the age difference, the two put on a stunning display in 2021. Let’s hope these highly motivated men lock horns again in the next season.