Hamilton on Leclerc battle: "Different to what I experienced last year"

Lewis Hamilton managed to take a slight dig at Max Verstappen following the 2022 British Grand Prix. The seven-time World Champion engaged in a great battle with Charles Leclerc in the closing stages of the race similar to his fight with his 2021 rival last year. Hamilton was quick to praise Leclerc's driving in his post race interviews. 

Last year

It's a story well known. At Copse corner, Hamilton and Verstappen collided in 2021 which ignited their title fight. This year, Hamilton had a battle with Leclerc through the same corner and neither driver crashed. 

"Charles did a great job, a very sensible driver. Clearly a lot different to what I experienced last year. Copse, for example, two of us went through their no problem. What a battle. Amazing weekend," Hamilton told Sky Sports. 

Whilst last year he was in a title battle with Verstappen, this year Hamilton is behind with an underperforming car. He is on his longest losing streak in Formula 1, and his record of winning at least one race in every F1 season looks to be in doubt. However, this is Hamilton's second P3 in a row and he sees light at the end of the tunnel. 

"I like to think we are on a turning point, still on the bend. We've still got work to do but thank you for the team. We need more. Grateful to be back in the fight. For a while, [the win] was feeling on. A bunch of things went against us a bit," Hamilton added.