Lewis: Run-Off Areas Fuel Verstappen’s F1 Edge

Hamilton suggests that current run-off areas enable Verstappen’s aggressive style, a shift he’s noticed since Max joined F1.

Lewis Hamilton insists that Max Verstappen will continue his aggressive racing style until the rules or circuits change.

The Dutchman’s style has been under scrutiny since he received penalties for two incidents at the Mexican Grand Prix. The British driver recalls his experience during the 2021 World Championship battle.

“The rules are still the same as in 2021. So what we saw in 2021 with Max and me is still happening today and will continue unless they make a change,” Hamilton noted today in Brazil.

“All you have to do is go back and listen to some of my radio comments from that time. It’s not something I want to exploit. It has nothing to do with me right now. If I were in the fight, I might focus on it more. But you’d have to ask those two, Max and Lando, as it affects them. But I don’t think you’ve seen much difference since 2021; it’s pretty much the same.”

What does Hamilton think needs to change in F1?

“Not all run-offs are useful. If it were gravel or grass, they wouldn’t be able to keep doing this. So it’ll be interesting to see how things evolve. I wouldn’t say F1 has become more aggressive. When I started, I raced with Fernando [Alonso], who was very tough and hard to beat on track. The only difference now is that tracks have these large run-off areas. When I arrived, we didn’t have these big run-offs. You really had to prepare to push to the limit without being able to go off, leave the track, and get back into action as you can today.”

“Maybe around Max’s era or just before, when they started putting in these big run-offs, young drivers could come in and really push, without putting the car on the grass, for example. I think this gave them a solid base to settle into the sport and find another limit within the rules.”

His Take on the Drivers’ Title Battle

Hamilton also shared his thoughts on the title race between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. The seven-time world champion insists that his compatriot can close the 47-point gap with Verstappen but admits he’d struggle to offer advice on how to exploit any weaknesses in the Red Bull driver.

“It’s really exciting for the sport. The last two years haven’t necessarily been as thrilling with Max leading, and that happens sometimes. But I think it’s really exciting for fans to see that it might go down to the wire at the end of the year. There’s always a chance for Lando to catch up.”

“I read somewhere that he needs to gain around 12 points on average each race over these next rounds, which is definitely possible with the performance they have. We all know Max and his strengths, and I can’t really see too many weaknesses, if any.”

“Max may be overly aggressive at times. Of course, everyone knows what happened in the last two races. Everyone will have their own opinion on that, but ultimately, both drivers know what they’re doing. I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens in the upcoming races and just hope I can have at least a good view of it all, as they’ll be up front.”