Title fight between Hamilton & Verstappen toughest in F1 history
Oct.28 - Max Verstappen's bid to break Lewis Hamilton's title streak this year is delivering fans perhaps the highest-level duel in Formula 1 history.
That is the view of Nico Rosberg, who retired immediately after beating his then Mercedes teammate Hamilton to the world championship in 2016.
Since then, seven time world champion Hamilton, 36, and his Mercedes team, have won every drivers' and constructors' title on offer.
But they may have met his match in 24-year-old Verstappen and the on-form Red Bull in 2021.
"For me, the cars are about the same, the drivers are about the same and they're both in a league of their own compared to everyone else," Rosberg told Sky Deutschland.
"Nobody else can keep up."
And German Rosberg, 36 and now a regular F1 television pundit, thinks the intensity of the battle will remain sky high all the way until the Abu Dhabi finale.
"It will be so close in these last few races, and I am convinced that a lot is going to happen in that time," he said.
"This duel cannot be topped. I can judge what kind of performance they are bringing, and it's at such a high level between those two drivers. Probably the highest level Formula 1 has ever seen.
"It's phenomenal, really. I have a lot of respect for it."
The final question, then, is obvious - will Hamilton wear an unprecedented eighth crown, or will Verstappen break through for his first title?
"Somehow I still tend to go with Lewis - because of his vast experience and because he usually always comes out on top in the end," Rosberg said.
"It's so difficult to beat him. But I also have to say just how gigantically Max is driving at the moment."
✅ Check out F1 Standings 2021 Championship
✅ Check out more posts with related topics:
2016 was pretty exciting too! ;)
Yeah. Exciting how LH cut a 45 point deficit down to 5 despite a crash caused by one hitter Rosberg the sequel😄, plus a crew swap coupled with 3 engine failures for Lewis that year, only to have Nico's heart in his mouth during the final laps of the last race when Lewis in the lead was deliberately slowing him down. He was a nervous wreck at that point Lol. His brain couldn't handle it for another year so he had to flee with his lucky break.
Exciting it was. But nowhere near as much as this as Max is actually a worthy challenger for The Legend.
Is it more exciting than Senna v. Prost? 🤔
Ha. Thats funny.
And yes, Senna v Prost was, as the millenials now say "epic".
I also reckon Lewis in the end, although anything's possible.
The balance has now shifted in Verstappen s favour.Its fair and square there will be a new champion this year.Red Bull Honda have the better car.It took the best part of a decade to beat Mercedes.
✅ Checkout the latest 50 F1 Fans comments.