Harry Benjamin, a BBC Formula 1 commentator, has pointed out a distinction between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen after the two have already secured their championships.
He noted that Verstappen has continued his unrelenting pursuit of victories both this year and last, whereas Hamilton seemed to take things a little easier after winning the titles with rounds to spare in 2014 and 2015.
With two rounds remaining, he has already surpassed his previous season’s record of 15 wins in a single season, with a total of 17 victories.
Lewis Hamilton appeared “almost detached.” Max Verstappen’s victories “mean more and more” after titles.
After winning his third championship, Verstappen said in a recent interview that he would be “annoyed” if he let up on the pedal. Since then, he has won every race since winning the World Championship in Qatar.
With the titles locked up, he might be forgiven for taking things a little easier, but the Red Bull driver has stated time and time again that he has no intention of doing so.
Was it his cleanest race, in that sense? Benjamin said on the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, “I don’t think I could say it was; it was certainly a flawless race from him, but he doesn’t have any competition.”
The thing that truly amazes me the most is this: I think back to Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes championship victories and his victories over Nico Rosberg in 2014 and 2015.
“In both of those seasons, there came a moment when Hamilton was leading the standings, and then it was as though he had turned off as Rosberg began to win the races.
“Rosberg then proceeded to win the final several races of 2015 and, I believe, into 2016, which
Verstappen, on the other hand, is not depressed. Compare that. Even after the titles are assured, he values the victory more and more, if anything.
