Verstappen on his 2021 battle with Hamilton: 'Missing is a very strong word'

When asked by Mundo Deportivo if he misses the battle with the seven-time world champion, Verstappen replied: ''No. Missing is a very strong term. I appreciate the battle that I had at that time.''

It has been four years since the now-famous title battle between the Dutchman and the former Mercedes driver, which saw the former emerge victorious in one of the most debated finales in Formula 1 history, held in Abu Dhabi.

The Dutchman overtook Hamilton on the final lap, clinching the title.

Verstappen then had the perfect opportunity to overtake Hamilton on much fresher tyres, passing him without any chance of a response and claiming his first career title to the astonishment of the motorsport world.

After his triumph in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen went on to secure three more World Championships, all achieved much more comfortably than in 2021.

In particular, 2022 and 2023 were the years of the Dutchman’s true dominance, including an impressive 19 wins two years ago—a record that still stands today.

''2024 is a season that I am very proud of, certainly in terms of how we manage things and how we optimize the performance of the car, but for me, every championship has a meaning special, of course,'' he added.

Finally, when asked whether last year’s title holds more value than the 2021 one, since it was won not with the best car, the Red Bull driver replied: ''It's different. All titles are different, and I think that's what makes them so beautiful.''