'Verstappen was less aggressive in duel with Leclerc than with Hamilton'

Martin Brundle was pleased with the fight between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen at the Bahrain Grand Prix. It showed progress with the new regulations, but the Brit also noticed a change in the Dutchman.

Leclerc vs. Verstappen

The 2022 Formula 1 season started well with a direct duel between Leclerc and Verstappen. After the winter test, these two drivers were already put forward as the title contenders for 2022 and that proved to be true in the first race weekend. For many laps the two battled for the lead, resulting in several overtakes.

''It was very interesting to observe those two slugging it out. Max would slice up the inside into turn one having used the slipstream, DRS rear wing open, and superior straight-line speed to remarkable effect down the pit straight, along with late braking. Charles was measuring this constantly in his mirrors, accepting the inevitable, and then intelligently ensuring he was second car past the DRS detection point, meaning he could get the rear wing open on the way up to turn four and regain the lead," Brundle let us know in his column for Sky Sports.

Criticism of Verstappen

''Verstappen's defence was firm but very fair, and with significantly less aggression than he dished out to Hamilton last season. Indeed, it was Leclerc who sliced across his nose into turn four on one occasion. It will be fascinating to see how this plays out as the championship unfolds.''

Brundle was previously critical of the Red Bull Racing driver. According to the former Formula One driver, Verstappen was far too aggressive in his duels with Hamilton and had crossed a line in Saudi Arabia. With that, he made the comparison with Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna who also carried out similar actions in the past. According to Brundle, however, those drivers do not need those kinds of tricks at all. Gerhard Berger disagreed and stated that Verstappen would never have become champion if he had not been so aggressive.