With One Hand on 2022 Title, Max Verstappen Reminisces Cut-Throat Battle With Lewis Hamilton: “It Doesn’t Come Close”

Max Verstappen is on course to win his second title this year. After beating Lewis Hamilton in a blockbuster finale in Abu Dhabi last year, Verstappen’s title run seems fairly easy this time around. However, he feels like his second world title wouldn’t be as satisfying as winning his first.

Max Verstappen became the youngest driver to win a Grand Prix at just 18 years old. He won his maiden F1 race on his Red Bull debut. Recently, he even compared winning his first World Championship to winning his first race in Formula 1.

In an interview with RaceFans, the Dutchman said, “It’s not even necessarily about winning it again. I think it’s just that winning your first is always going to be the most emotional one.”

He continued, “The first one is still the most emotional one. Forget Abu Dhabi because that was just crazy, because that then also gives you the first title. But that very first win, compared to all the other wins I’ve had, it doesn’t come close. Because it is something like you dreamed of for such a long time and then it becomes reality.”

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Verstappen’s final lap victory meant he had fulfilled his lifelong dream as he accepted anything after this will be a “bonus”. On the other hand, Hamilton will be hoping for Mercedes to build him a competitive car so that he can challenge for his record 8th World Championship.

Despite Max Verstappen’s dominance, Lewis Hamilton advises Ferrari to keep pushing for the title

Lewis Hamilton might not be Max Verstappen’s biggest rival this year, but he certainly knows a lot from his experience battling with the Dutch driver. The Mercedes star has advised Ferrari and Charles Leclerc to keep their head down and not give up on the title yet.

After battling for the championship for many years, Lewis Hamilton has shared some of his wisdom with their rival, Ferrari in order to challenge Max Verstappen and Red Bull.

The Briton said, “It is a massive gap to Max so that is pretty smooth sailing for him in that space. But a lot can go wrong. I would just advise Ferrari to keep their heads down and continue to push.”

Charles Leclerc is currently 98 points behind Max Verstappen after another dismal performance by Ferrari in Spa. Red Bull currently leads Ferrari by a mammoth 118 points.

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While Ferrari tries and catches Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, Lewis Hamilton will be hoping he can get back to fighting for race wins. The former McLaren driver has won a Grand Prix in every season he’s competed in except this one. Do you think he will win a race this year?