Hamilton on title race: 'Verstappen is not the first to challenge me'

The fierce battle for the title between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen has made for a very exciting season with more than a few clashes between the two rivals. Silverstone and Monza are the main examples of this. For Hamilton the title fight is nothing new.

Beating Verstappen in a different way

There were real crashes at Silverstone and Monza, but Verstappen and Hamilton have had some wheel-to-wheel moments this season that could have led to a crash. Hamilton is careful to pick ESPN choosing his battles carefully. "Yeah, I've had to pull out of certain scenarios with Max because otherwise we'd crash. I'm just like, 'I'll beat him another way'."

According to Hamilton, it also has to do with experience. "I really hope that pays off at the end of the year, but obviously you just have to find the right balance. That's really what I'm just trying to do."

Verstappen not Hamilton's first challenger

Ever since his debut in 2015, Verstappen has been known as a tough racer who doesn't give an inch. However, according to Hamilton, the Dutchman is not the first driver to have such a driving style. "Max is not the first to challenge me," Hamilton said. "I've always had a target on my back. I've always been at the front since I was young. I had number one on my car for many years, even before I got into Formula One."

The driver Hamilton compares to Verstappen is Fernando Alonso, his teammate in his debut year at McLaren in 2007. "Alonso would never give up. I've raced against drivers who drive like that before. Some are smarter than others and I know there will be other moments. It is a marathon, not a sprint. Some drivers are then able to control it, and some are not."