If there ever was a prize for the best rivalries in Formula 1, surely Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s rivalry from 2021 would be a contender for the top prize. However, there was one other rivalry that was almost on the same level as the two drivers in the past season.

And this rivalry wasn’t between the drivers, but team principals.

Toto Wolff of Mercedes and Christian Horner of Red Bull engaged in a battle of their own that grew intense with every race weekend. It got to the point where if one would say the sky is blue, the other was expected to say it’s green.

Regardless, there was one thing on which both the bosses agree upon. And that is the fact that the 2021 season was immensely instrumental in increasing the sport’s appeal and popularity.

“This duel certainly boosted interest once again. Formula 1 has clearly benefited from this,” Toto Wolff said.

“It was already apparent last year that we were attracting a younger audience,” he continued. “This has become a fan base in its own right. You could almost talk about a changing of the generational guard.”

The Red Bull had also recently said the duel between Hamilton and Verstappen “for sure” helped F1. “It was a fantastic year, the best year I think Formula 1 has had as a sport for probably, 30-40 years,” he said.

Lewis Hamilton at the “zenith of his ability” according to Wolff

After the 2021 season, many fans linked the Hamilton-Verstappen rivalry to that of Senna-Prost. Toto Wolff was asked the same question as well, but the Austrian doesn’t share that opinion.

“No, they’re completely different guys. Max is lighting-fast, but he doesn’t have the experience yet,” Wolff said. “Lewis is driving at the zenith of his ability.”

Wolff added, “The two drove in a class of their own. At times, they had a 40 to 45-second lead over the third-place finisher.”

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The comparisons between the two are only natural, and to an extent fair as well.

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have directly or indirectly opened the floodgates of Formula 1 to a whole new generation of fans, something which perhaps no other rivalry in the past achieved.

Also Read: Williams CEO Capito Reveals Why It’s Time for Lewis Hamilton to Quit F1 Amidst Rumours