How has Hamilton fared against title rivals in their home country?

This weekend Lewis Hamilton could face one of his toughest tests ever in Formula 1. The seven-time World Champion has seen it all and more during his long and lustrous career in the sport. But the ‘Orange Army’ in support of Max Verstappen at the Dutch Grand Prix could produce a unique challenge for the Brit. 

One of the most interesting aspects of the current title duel between Hamilton and Verstappen is the cross-generation factor. Despite recently signing a two-year contract extension, Hamilton is edging towards the end of his career. Meanwhile, Verstappen has only just reached the top of the pyramid. The Dutchman promises to be a star of his generation but hasn’t yet experienced a proper title battle. 

It might turn out to be a significant point of difference in deciding who gets the 2021 World Championship. Hamilton has faced numerous battles against many of the sport’s top drivers of the current century. He has showcased his talents at Silverstone many times, including against Verstappen. But how has he fared against his previous rivals in their home country? 

Fernando Alonso - Spain 2007

In just his fourth ever F1 race, Hamilton was already heading to one of his rivals for the title’s home circuit. It also happened to be his teammate Fernando Alonso. Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Alonso all arrived at Spain on equal points in the World Championship, as early signs of a great season developed. 

Hamilton actually qualified in fourth, around 0.300 seconds away from McLaren teammate Alonso who started in second. But the home crowd were let down in the first set of corners. Hamilton got off the line well and already moved up to third. Alonso was squeezed onto the gravel, which opened the door for Hamilton to move through and hunt down Felipe Massa. 

Hamilton stayed ahead of his teammate after the pit stops and took home second place. In fact, the Brit took the lead of the World Championship for the first time in his career, and become the youngest driver at the time to do so. Happy memories of his first event in a rivals home country. 

Felipe Massa - Brazil 2008 

Perhaps one of the most well-known Grands Prix of the century. The events of the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix have been well documented over the years and there’s no point brushing over the fine details. 

The home favourite Felipe Massa claimed his 11th victory in Formula 1 and, as thought at the time, the 2008 World Championship. The crowd was jubilant, and videos from inside the Ferrari garage demonstrated a similar feeling. But a stroke of luck for Hamilton produced a sting in the tail for the Brazilian fans. 

Hamilton managed to overtake a slow-moving Timo Glock in the final stages of the race, which gave Hamilton 5th place and subsequently enough points to win the World Championship.  

Sebastian Vettel - Germany 2018 

The 2018 German Grand Prix is remembered as the turning point in Sebastian Vettel’s Formula 1 career. The German led the championship going into the race and looked likely to finally give Mercedes some serious competition in the turbo-hybrid era. 

Vettel’s pole position only added to this. Hamilton’s disappointing qualifying session only added to his. The Brit started from 14th place and looked set to lose ground on his world championship rival. 

But Vettel fans were stunned when he made a mistake and ended up in the gravel trap on lap 51. Vettel had to retire from the lead of the race. And things haven’t been the same again for the four-time World Champion. Hamilton took the victory and the lead in the World Championship. Yet another significant moment in a rivals home country for Hamilton. 

Nico Rosberg - Germany 2016 

Rosberg had managed to qualify on pole position for the 2016 German Grand Prix. But the home favourite lost that lead way before the first corner. Rosberg struggled to get off the line, and Hamilton comfortably held the lead at turn one. 

The two Red Bull drivers had managed to get ahead of Rosberg on the same straight. Rosberg worked his way up to second place for a brief period but had to pit which meant Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen ended up on the podium alongside winner Hamilton. Yet more heartbreak for the fans at the home race, but Hamilton couldn’t continue to apply this pressure through the season as Rosberg walked away with the World Championship. 

All in all, Hamilton has got the better of his title rivals when it comes to racing in their country. Even when qualifying hasn’t produced the best results, a stroke of luck, great getaways off the line, and persistence has earned him these wins. Will Max Verstappen be able to put an end to this run at Zandvoort?