Jonas Leo
Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has asserted that Lewis Hamilton’s robust defensive driving against Max Verstappen during the recent Austrian Grand Prix was a direct consequence of their contentious history, suggesting the Ferrari-bound driver "doesn’t forget" the intense battles that defined their 2021 championship rivalry. The race at the Red Bull Ring, ultimately won by George Russell from pole position, featured a compelling mid-race confrontation between the two multi-time world champions, which drew significant attention and prompted Montoya’s post-race analysis.
The encounter unfolded with both drivers trading positions in a tense yet ultimately clean manner, captivating viewers. Hamilton, driving for Mercedes, found himself under investigation by the stewards for potentially forcing Verstappen, representing Red Bull Racing, off the track during one of their exchanges. However, after review, the stewards determined that no further action was warranted, allowing the result to stand.
Speaking on F1 TV‘s post-race broadcast, Montoya, a former Grand Prix winner and Indianapolis 500 champion, elaborated on his observation. "I think the racing was really good," Montoya stated. "I think sometimes people forget what happened between Max and Lewis before, and Lewis doesn’t forget. When you’re a driver, and they run you over before, you don’t forget, and if you can give it to them, you will all the way. And that’s what we saw today. It was unbelievable. I was giggling watching that." His comments underscore a widely held belief within the sport that historical grievances among competitors can significantly influence on-track conduct, particularly between drivers of Hamilton and Verstappen’s calibre and history.
The rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen reached its zenith during the unforgettable 2021 Formula 1 season, a campaign marked by relentless wheel-to-wheel combat, strategic intrigue, and high-stakes drama. Hamilton, then a seven-time world champion with Mercedes, was vying for an unprecedented eighth drivers’ title, which would have surpassed Michael Schumacher’s record. Verstappen, meanwhile, was fiercely pursuing his maiden world championship with Red Bull Racing, determined to break Hamilton’s dominant streak.
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The season was punctuated by several flashpoints and collisions that underscored the intensity of their rivalry. One of the most significant incidents occurred at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. On the opening lap, Hamilton and Verstappen collided at Copse Corner, a high-speed right-hander. Verstappen’s car veered into the barrier, resulting in a 51G impact and his immediate retirement from the race. Hamilton received a 10-second penalty for causing the collision but remarkably recovered to win the race, narrowing the championship gap. The incident ignited a war of words between the Mercedes and Red Bull team principals, Toto Wolff and Christian Horner, further escalating the tension.
Later that season, at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, the two protagonists collided again, resulting in a double retirement. This time, Verstappen’s Red Bull landed on top of Hamilton’s Mercedes in the gravel trap at Turn 1, with Verstappen’s right-rear tyre making contact with Hamilton’s helmet. Both drivers were out of the race, a rare occurrence for two front-runners. The stewards deemed Verstappen predominantly to blame, issuing him a three-place grid penalty for the subsequent race in Russia. The incident highlighted the immense pressure both drivers were under, as neither was willing to concede an inch.
The penultimate race of the 2021 season, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, added another layer of controversy. In a chaotic race featuring multiple red flags and safety car periods, Hamilton and Verstappen were once again locked in a fierce battle. A bizarre incident occurred when Verstappen was instructed by race control to give a position back to Hamilton after an illegal overtake. As Verstappen slowed down to comply, Hamilton, seemingly unaware or misjudging the situation, ran into the back of the Red Bull. Both drivers later downplayed the contact, but it encapsulated the fraught nature of their contest. Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for causing the collision.
The championship ultimately culminated in the infamous Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Entering the final race tied on points, the title was decided on the very last lap following a controversial safety car restart. Race Director Michael Masi’s decision to allow only the lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to un-lap themselves, combined with the timing of the safety car withdrawal, positioned Verstappen directly behind Hamilton on fresher tyres for a single-lap shootout. Verstappen overtook Hamilton to claim his first drivers’ title, a moment that remains a significant point of discussion and contention in Formula 1 history and deeply impacted Hamilton, who saw an eighth championship slip away in unprecedented fashion.
Since that pivotal season, Verstappen has gone on to secure three additional consecutive World Championships in 2022, 2023, and the current 2024 season, establishing an era of dominance with Red Bull Racing. Hamilton, conversely, faced a challenging period with Mercedes in the ground effect era, with the team struggling to adapt to the new technical regulations introduced in 2022. Despite his best efforts, Hamilton has not added to his tally of 103 Grand Prix victories since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. His most recent championship standings reflect this period, finishing sixth in 2022, third in 2023, and currently holding fourth position in the 2024 drivers’ standings with 146 points, behind Verstappen (255 points), Lando Norris (177 points), and Charles Leclerc (150 points).
The upcoming 2025 season will see a significant shift in Hamilton’s career trajectory as he moves from Mercedes to Ferrari, a decision that sent shockwaves through the paddock. This move is widely interpreted as a final push for an eighth world title with a different constructor, aiming to revitalize his championship aspirations and potentially reignite his rivalry with Verstappen in a new scarlet livery.
At the recent Austrian Grand Prix, Hamilton qualified third on the grid but finished the race in fifth position, behind his teammate Russell, Verstappen, Norris, and Oscar Piastri. Verstappen, starting from fifth after a grid penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change, executed a strong recovery drive to finish second, further cementing his consistent performance in the current season. Red Bull Racing continues to lead the constructors’ standings with 404 points, while Ferrari is second with 294 points, and Mercedes sits third with 229 points.
The next fixture on the Formula 1 calendar is the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a circuit historically significant for both Hamilton and the 2021 rivalry. The return to Silverstone, a track where both drivers have experienced significant triumphs and contentious moments, promises another chapter in the ongoing narrative of their careers and the enduring echoes of their past battles, as suggested by Montoya. The prospect of Hamilton in a Ferrari challenging Verstappen on track in the future adds another layer of anticipation to their already storied rivalry.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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