'Verstappen vs Hamilton is STILL F1 at its Best'

During the 2021 Formula 1 season, Hamilton and Verstappen battled until the last race. The season was hard-fought between the two, with plenty of borderline moments from both drivers.

This rivalry sparked a fan war that continues to this day. Not only was the battle intense and entertaining, but it also had a dramatic finish at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Last year, Mercedes Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff said, "I think Lewis was the stronger driver in the second half, Max was in the first half. The same with the cars. Both of them should have had the trophy. But on that day in that race. The race was decided, and it fell the other way."

Toward the end of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, Williams driver Nicholas Latifi crashed, causing a last-minute safety car. This prompted Verstappen to head into the pit lane as Hamilton stayed out. The race was then decided on the final lap. In the end, Verstappen, on fresher tyres, managed to get past Hamilton and take his first World Drivers' Championship title.

However, that was five seasons ago, and the two seem to have put their rivalry behind them, if the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix cooldown room is anything to go by. After a hard-fought battle at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where Verstappen overtook the Briton during the opening stint, Hamilton managed to fight back in the final stint and claim second place behind Kimi Antonelli last Sunday. After the Grand Prix, the two drivers also praised each other.