Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton? Max Verstappen explains the difference

A new world duel, different from that of the past.

Max Verstappen became Formula 1 world champion in 2022, repeating the title he had already won the year before always at the wheel of his Red Bull. This season, however, he faced Charles Leclerc as his main opponent for the iris. And, according to him, the situation has changed compared to when it was Lewis Hamilton contending for the top spot.

“Everyone is different from everyone else in the way they fight on the track,” Verstappen said from the FIA Gala in Bologna, responding to a question about the differences between taking on Hamilton and Leclerc. “That’s also the beauty of this sport. If it was always the same to challenge anyone, then racing would be quite boring.”

“Each passing year allows you to learn more and more,” Verstappen added. “Your experience grows and you understand what you can improve in. But you have to score points all the time, which is why the retirements at the beginning of 2022 hurt so much. But they made me realize I couldn’t make mistakes anymore, and to make up for it in Imola after the problems in Melbourne was resounding. I realized there that we could do it.”