16 years and Lewis Hamilton still looks to keep going in F1. Even with younger drivers coming in and showing their dynamic racing skills, the British world champion does not look to back down. There was a time when he was a dynamic rookie, stealing the headlines. While the Mercedes star still does the latter, he has become an old veteran of F1. Though, to tackle and defy the latest young drivers’ flair, Hamilton has his own defenses too.

Speaking on the On Purpose podcast, Lewis revealed the secret of F1 drivers’ competitive spirit. Being a mental health advocate, he cited how controlling feelings or emotions about other drivers is crucial to compete with them. Else it can be really tricky to balance your on-track and off-track lives.

Hamilton said, “We are so competitive. And a lot of us have our defense. Like you want to beat the guy. You might like the person outside the car, but you can’t show that. Like there is this whole psychological battle, you are having with yourself and getting away of yourself a lot of the time.”

The 7-time champion explained how there is a generation gap between him and younger drivers like Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Lando Norris. Thus, he feels excited to watch these talented folks grow.

But at the same time, the Briton has to hide these emotions to win the bigger battle while racing. If Lewis engages in a wheel-to-wheel battle with Leclerc or Verstappen, he ain’t probably thinking about how talented either of them is.

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Naturally, Hamilton has shown this psychological strength in his 2021 title battle with Verstappen. The Mercedes man understood how ruthless Max was going to be in the initial few races. Eventually, he too got his elbows out and gloves off.

How Lewis Hamilton Psychologically Battled Max Verstappen in 2021

When the 2021 season started, Lewis Hamilton knew he had a tough challenger in Max Verstappen. In the first few races, Max tussled with Lewis incessantly, to not give the Briton the upper hand. While the Red Bull driver did not lead the championship until Monaco, it was a statement of intent that, head-to-head, he was not going to back out against Lewis.

Fast forward to the British GP, Hamilton perhaps was in a different mind space altogether. After multiple tussles with Max, he was determined to flip the script in front of his home crowd. Thus, when the duo went at full steam into the Copse corner, Lewis did not back out as had in earlier races.

The result may have been disastrous with a 200-mph accident. But Lewis replied to Verstappen’s intent, saying he ain’t backing out as well. Hamilton knew he had to cover up the points deficit. And, he, along with Mercedes, managed to do the same, despite such incidents with Max and Red Bull.

This “never backing out” mindset caused further clashes in Italy and Saudi Arabia. Though it was probably necessary from Hamilton’s perspective to be as aggressive as Verstappen. Or else, the title could have been wrapped up at the penultimate races itself.

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Lewis will require this mental solidarity if he looks to battle for the championship again in 2023. After all, Verstappen has probably become the man to beat since his first title in 2021. But will he be able to avoid clashing with Max again?