Hamilton: Verstappen's driving style remains unchanged since 2021 title battle

Lewis Hamilton on Max Verstappen: “driving style same as in 2021 title battle"

SAO PAULO -- Amid recent criticisms of Max Verstappen's driving style, Lewis Hamilton remarked that there has been little change since their intense championship battle in 2021.

Verstappen, the reigning champion for Red Bull, faced significant scrutiny after being penalised twice at the Mexico Grand Prix last Sunday. The penalties were due to the Dutch driver forcing his McLaren rival, Lando Norris, wide and gaining an unfair advantage.

"All you have to do is just go and look back and listen to some of my radio comments back in the day," Hamilton told reporters when asked about Norris's claim that Verstappen's driving was "dangerous."

"I don't think you're seeing much difference across the years from 2021 to now. It's pretty much the same," Hamilton added, speaking ahead of Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Verstappen, in a separate press conference, defended his driving style and responded to his critics, stating, "I've heard that before in my career. It's my 10th year in Formula 1, I think I know what I'm doing."

Sao Paulo's Interlagos circuit holds historical significance for these two competitors. One of their memorable battles took place here in 2021, with both drivers going off track while contesting the lead in a race eventually won by Hamilton. This battle was part of their season-long duel, which culminated in Verstappen securing the championship by overtaking Hamilton on the last lap of the final race in Abu Dhabi, clinching his first world title.

Following the Mexican Grand Prix, drivers held a meeting addressing the on-track incidents. George Russell, Hamilton's Mercedes teammate and a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, described the meeting as "positive."

"Actions that should have been punished were punished," Russell told reporters in Sao Paulo, reflecting on the fairness and enforcement of racing regulations.

As the championship continues, the consistency and enforcement of driving standards remain a hot topic in the Formula 1 paddock.

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