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Lewis Hamilton has had some great competitors throughout his years in Formula One, as he started competing for the championship on day one.
As we head into the French Grand Prix, the seven-time World Champion will see himself driving in his 300th race in Formula One. His debut dates back to 2007, when he joined McLaren and had his hopes of a championship crushed by a prime Kimi Raikkonen. Not only, but he had to face the great Fernando Alonso, who was coming from two consecutive World Championship wins with Renault.
A year later, he got to compete against the strong Ferrari force of Felipe Massa and once again, Fernando Alonso, who was now wearing red. He won his first-ever championship and went he went on to join Mercedes, he only got stronger.
His latest battle was with Max Verstappen in 2021, and one can say with the FIA, considering the controversial decisions taken in Abu Dhabi. It Anglo-Dutch battle was one of the most exciting that the sport has ever seen, but very dangerous too. The crash that sent Max Verstappent to hospital in Silverstone, and the crash that saw a Red Bull go on top of Lewis Hamilton in Monza, made many think, “Are they taking it too far?”
It got out of hand, but despite this, Lewis Hamilton still doesn’t think that Max Verstappen was his “strongest competitor” over the years.
Lewis Hamilton’s “strongest competitor”
The battle against Max Verstappen was one that no scriptwriter can ever imagine or think of. It was a season which no on expected, the drama and controversy fuelled even those who do not support Mercedes or Red Bull.
But Lewis Hamilton still insists that his battle with Max Verstappen, is not the toughest one he faced. Instead he chose two-time World Champion, Fernando Alonso, who is still making the Brit’s life difficult to this day, especially in Monaco. Just like he made his life difficult during his debut season in 2007.
Hamilton said, as reported by the Daily Express, “It is difficult to say who has been the strongest competitor because every time you are against someone you are in a different place in your life. I remember being alongside Fernando when I was 22. I was so young mentally.
“There was pressure going up against a great like him. And in terms of pure pace I would say Fernando (was the best). We had good battles. I wish we could have some more.”
Well, Fernando is not keeping him short of battles. Since he joined Formula One again with Alpine, he has been proving to a strong force against the 37 year old.
Max Verstappen not as “sensible”
Lewis Hamilton is once again racing against Ferrari. Mercedes are not on top of their game in 2022, after being faced with several porpoising issues at the beginning of the season. In Silverstone, they saw a huge turn of events after Lewis Hamiton was up there competing against both Red Bulls and both Ferraris.
He enjoyed a battle with Charles Leclerc and when comparing it to the one he had last year, he explains how it is much better. The Mercedes driver said, “Charles fought a great battle. Charles is a very sensible drive – clearly a lot different from what I experienced last year.”
The rivalry between these two World Champions will probably never end and it might return in France. Mercedes reportedly had some great upgrades which saw both Ferrari and Red Bull raise concern about.
Both Christian Horner and Mattia Binotto said that Mercedes should be feared at Paul Ricard. Now that Lewis Hamilton and even George Russell are coming into play, can we see another showdown between Hamilton and Verstappen. It will surely turn around the season.
But can Mercedes turn it around just enough to compete for a title? Or will Hamilton be significant to help Ferrari and ruin Verstappen’s chances?
Featured Image: Formula One
