Former F1 World Champion praises Verstappen for off-track actions in Hamilton duel

It has been clear for a while now that Hamilton and Verstappen will battle it out for the world title, and that often adds an extra layer to the fight. Every detail counts, and drivers often use every trick in the book to beat the other driver. Sometimes this also happens with words, although drivers say they don't do this.

Hamilton versus Verstappen

"Lewis said he didn't want to get into a war of words but before the race, he was still saying that Max had more to prove. But after the race, he sort of throttled back," says Tom Clarkson at the F1 Nation Podcast.

''Lewis agreed that it is good to do the talking on the track. So the minute you bite to a comment like that, it's actually a sign of weakness,'' Natalie Pinkham says of the seven-time world champion. Where Hamilton tries to make stabs, Verstappen is fully in focus according to Damon Hill.

Verstappen stays focused

''Max has kept himself in his little bubble and doesn't get distracted by anything. His focus is very good. In situations like this, it's easy to get derailed by a journalist questions. He's just not doing that. He plays that very well. Sometimes it's a bit dull, but things like that can escalate and get out of control," said Hill.

According to Hill, Hamilton does like the mental games, even if he says he doesn't. ''Lewis does play the odd comment every known and then, even if he says he doesn't. I remember with Nico, he talking about how he not from a poor background, like a rich kid who lived in Monaco," said Hill.

To which Clarkson concludes: "After the first press conference, that Lewis had turned up the wick a bit because this is now getting serious."