There was a noticeable distinction with Max Verstappen in 2022 in comparison with the earlier yr preventing for the championship.
When racing with Lewis Hamilton he was much more aggressive, the pair typically clashing on monitor on account of their hard-fought battles.
However this yr it has been completely different with Charles Leclerc, who for the primary time in his F1 profession was difficult for the title with Ferrari. Regardless of their historical past that dates again to karting, each drivers have been prepared to offer one another sufficient house to race.
Damon Hill has beforehand noticed how Verstappen has been much less ‘feisty’ and fellow Sky Sports activities F1 pundit, Karun Chandhok, believes that is right down to him not feeling the stress to say himself.
“I believe there is a clear distinction there. Lewis is the king of the fort and has been for this technology,” he mentioned of their finish of season evaluation present. “Max felt that he needed to assert himself once more to Lewis and knock him off the throne.
“Whereas he sees George, Charles and Carlos as his friends and he isn’t making an attempt to knock them off the throne, which is why I believe he races them in another way.”
Saudi Arabia ‘the right instance’ of variations
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix supplied a singular perception into how in another way Verstappen has raced his rivals this yr.
The second race on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit was held in April, simply months after its inaugural Grand Prix in November final yr.
Chandhok added: “Saudi Arabia this yr was a unbelievable instance of that, evaluate it to final yr, which was frankly just a few months earlier than.
“The distinction between Lewis and Max there, which was vastly controversial, and Charles and Max this yr, it was an outstanding race – they completed half a second aside, nice racing.”