Lewis Hamilton claims Max Verstappen's driving tactics are still the same as they were in 2021: "I don’t think you’re seeing much difference"

Lewis Hamilton has weighed in on the Max Verstappen-Lando Norris battle and feels that the Dutch driver's driving tactics are more or less the same as they were in the 2021 F1 title fight. In 2021, Hamilton and Verstappen battled it out for the title in a contentious and heated back and forth.

Even in 2021, Max Verstappen's driving standards were in the spotlight, as the Red Bull driver was his characteristic aggressive self and left the Mercedes driver in a position of defense. As the season progressed, the Dutch driver was criticized by a few pundits for his aggressive approach on the track and how it was almost going beyond the spirit of racing.

In the 2024 F1 season, we've seen something similar where Verstappen's battle for the title with Lando Norris has seen him get into one too many on-track skirmishes.

During the pre-race press conference, Lewis Hamilton, someone who already has the experience of racing against Max Verstappen in the past, was questioned about the Red Bull driver's driving tactics.

In response, Hamilton said Verstappen's approach had not changed since 2021.

"It’s not really something I really want to tap into as it’s nothing to do with me at the moment. Obviously if I was in the battle, I could lean more into it. But these are things you have to ask those two because they’re the ones that it’s affecting. But I don’t think you’re seeing much difference across the years from 2021 until now, it’s pretty much the same.”

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Lewis Hamilton suggests gravel and grass to prevent Lando Norris-Max Verstappen incident repeat

Lewis Hamilton felt that if the FIA becomes more proactive and implements gravel or grass in place instead of the waste swathes of empty tracks, it could potentially discourage aggressive moves from drivers.

Claiming that his comments from 2021 would be similar to what Lando Norris has been making this season, Hamilton said,

“The rules are still the same as they were back in 2021, so what we saw in 2021 with myself and Max is still happening today and will continue until perhaps they make a change. Also, the tracks with all the runoff areas don’t help. It it was gravel or grass they wouldn’t be doing that all the way out there."

He added,

"So it’ll be interesting to see the development. Hopefully they’ll make some changes for next year. All you have to do is just go look back and listen to some of my radio comments back in the day,”

As we head to the F1 Brazilian GP, this is the site of the epic battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in 2021. It will be interesting to see what's in store for this race weekend, as early indications did suggest a wet race.