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Hamilton outlines his top three rivals

Published on 27 Jan 2018 13:34
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By: Fergal Walsh

Four-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has revealed who he believes are his three biggest rivals in Formula 1. The Briton wrapped up his fourth title in 2017 after a battle with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel. Speaking about his three biggest competitors, he admitted that the German was one.

Former teammate Fernando Alonso was another name that Hamilton mentioned. Alonso and Hamilton endured a tense relationship in 2007, when the two were paired together at McLaren. Hamilton also believes that Dutchman Max Verstappen is a serious threat.

With McLaren taking on Renault engines in 2018, Hamilton hopes that Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren are thrown into a title fight: "We're the four strongest drivers. I really hope we are all in the fight next year. It would be friggin' amazing."

The 33-year-old also gave an insight on how to handle each of them: "You look at them all slightly differently. They all have different characteristics. Sebastian, for example, from this year, you could say: 'Give more space.' - not in a negative way.

"Max takes a lot of risks. Also, you have to give [him] more space, but he is more inexperienced than the other guys. Fernando - toughest driver there is, so you have to keep that utmost respect for each other, but you've really got to play your cards right to utilise the racecraft. His racecraft is mighty, but Max's racecraft is very impressive [too]."

Verstappen made his F1 debut in 2015 and instantly laid down his mark, showcasing impressive speed and racecraft. Hamilton believes that as Verstappen gains more experience, he will become more of a threat to fellow F1 drivers.

"He's doing wonderful things, but he is going to grow so much over the next 10 years," he said. "I don't think it will be a problem, it'll just be freaking tough [to beat him]. Wouldn't that be a fight? Even I'd pay to see that."

Fergal Walsh

F1 News Max Verstappen Fernando Alonso Lewis Hamilton Sebastian Vettel Mercedes McLaren Renault Ferrari

Replies (6)

f1dave

Posts: 782
He forgot his ego.
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- Jan 27 2018 - 16:59
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  Lol
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  Jan 27 2018 - 22:40
- Barron
  
  Posts: 625
  I don’t think you could get this far in a world stage without one (an ego). Show me a competitor who is very humble (yes I know, they do exist but very rarely) and I’ll show you a loser (in competition). You have to psyche yourself up with so much self belief that it comes across as arrogance. Mansell was much disliked because of this but he’s the nicest guy you could wish to meet. As a competitor though, he came across arrogant and full of himself.. If you become champion, you could rightly be proud of yourself, that’s ego again. Alonso is one of the worse offenders but I find Hamilton strangely meek at times - he seems erratic in that department.
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  Jan 28 2018 - 13:11
KyalamiKid

Posts: 146
Bottas the clear number 2 driver then?
I kinda hope Bottas outperforms Ham in the first couple Grand Prix
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- Jan 29 2018 - 08:24
Patentprutser

Posts: 390
I hope Verstappen, Ricciardo and Bottas will be the threat. Vettel kills his chances himself during the season. If RB builts a good car and Renault finally manages to come over and Bottas keeps his pace of his last races, it will become a nice season! Hopefully Alonso will come forward too!
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- Jan 29 2018 - 08:59
reg

Posts: 162
Rivals for what?
He's already been awarded "pratt of the year for 2018", based on previous years superlative efforts!
When we see how its all going after 4 or 5 weekends racing, we will all be able to make some judgments, but before then its just comment to the press for comments sake, I am amazed this nonsense gets reported anywhere (well apart from the BBC of course who almost report on Hamilton's every bowel movement
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- Jan 29 2018 - 16:42