Villeneuve: Hamilton 'Finally Respecting' Verstappen Amidst Renewed Rivalry

Max Verstappen's recent surge in performance and consistent victories are earning him the respect of Lewis Hamilton, according to 1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve. Despite a historically intense rivalry, Hamilton appears less inclined to intentionally hinder Verstappen's championship bid, recognizing the Dutchman's achievements.

Why it matters:

The dynamic between two of F1's greatest drivers is shifting, moving from fierce animosity during their 2021 title fight to a more professional, albeit still competitive, respect. This evolution could influence how future on-track battles unfold, especially as Verstappen unexpectedly re-enters the championship conversation.

The Details:

• Verstappen's Title Push: Max Verstappen has dramatically cut the championship lead, reducing a 104-point deficit in September to just 36 points after the Mexico City Grand Prix. He is now considered an outside contender for the title, aiming to surpass both McLaren drivers.
• Historic Rivalry: The 2021 F1 season saw a heated rivalry between Hamilton and Verstappen, marked by several on-track clashes during their championship battle.
• Villeneuve's Assessment: Jacques Villeneuve, speaking on the Sky F1 podcast, suggested that Hamilton is "finally respecting Max for what he's achieving and the way he's been winning race weekend after race weekend." He believes Hamilton is "not as bothered as he would have been two years ago" about intentionally affecting Verstappen's championship chances.
• Mexico City Grand Prix Incident: In Mexico City, Hamilton received a 10-second time penalty for gaining an advantage off-track while battling Verstappen. This penalty dropped him to eighth place, while Verstappen finished third, marking his sixth consecutive podium.
• Brundle's View on Penalty: Martin Brundle supported the penalty, stating Hamilton "had a big advantage, he didn't really go to a lot of trouble to back up again and hand back either the position or 100 or 200 meters." He deemed it a deserved 10-second penalty.

Between the lines:

The shift in Hamilton's perceived attitude towards Verstappen highlights the impact of consistent, dominant performance. While the 2021 rivalry was characterized by a winner-take-all mentality, Verstappen's sustained excellence since then seems to have fostered a different kind of recognition from his competitor. This doesn't mean the racing will be any less intense, but perhaps the underlying personal friction has mellowed, replaced by an acknowledgement of pure racing prowess.

What's next:

With four rounds remaining, Verstappen's late-season charge adds an unexpected layer to the championship fight. While a direct title challenge against Hamilton might not materialize this year, the renewed competitive dynamic between them, now seasoned with mutual respect, sets the stage for even more compelling battles in future seasons, potentially rekindling the excitement of their 2021 clashes with a new dimension of sportsmanship.