Lewis Hamilton seems wary of Max Verstappen and his aggressive brand of driving.
Expert analysis by former Fl driver Karun Chandhok has revealed that Hamilton has been apprehensive while approaching Verstappen in wheel-to-wheel combat this season.
In a social media video, Chandhok can be seen breaking down both Hamilton and Verstappen’s driving techniques at different points this season.
The only constant in each of those situations has been Verstappen’s all-out aggression behind the steering wheel of his Red Bull.
In a pattern that reared its head at Imola, Chandhok explains how Verstappen’s driving style ended up pushing Hamilton’s Mercedes off the track because he rarely leaves any racing room. Often approaching the apex behind the car in front, Max Verstappen has chosen to keep his foot down and send it with little regard for safety.
This in turn has seen Hamilton back out and disengage from fear of damage or retirement. Chandhok feels Lewis Hamilton bailing out of these situations could be considered a compromise on the Briton’s part.
What we’ve been saying all year, if Verstappen was racing wheel to wheel against himself, there’d be contact every race week. pic.twitter.com/xbOqy2e5wd
— Ben (@BenH_0) December 9, 2021
Chandhok diligently highlights the instances when Lewis Hamilton has had to fight for every inch of asphalt with Max Verstappen in Barcelona, Monza, Interlagos and Jeddah most recently.
With a driving style that Damon Hill has characterized as ‘uncompromising’, Verstappen is like a Cretan Bull with his daring moves often leaving others in pieces. Hamilton will need to have his wits about him if he is to steer clear and win the drivers’ world championship.
