Lewis Hamilton chases eighth title (again) ahead of 2022 Formula 1 Grand Prix curtain raiser in Bahrain

Lewis Hamilton stated there are “no friends on track” as he prepares to reunite with Max Verstappen for the first time since their nail-biting — and highly controversial — season finale in Abu Dhabi. The 2022 Formula 1 season gets underway in Bahrain from March 18-20 where Verstappen and Hamilton will do battle once again after their epic battle which concluded last season, with the Dutchman claiming his first World Championship title in dramatic fashion at seven-time champion Hamilton’s expense.

Ad/> Verstappen’s victory was marred by controversy as Hamilton, who had led for much of the race, saw his rhythm disrupted by a crash at the back of the pack, which got yellow flags waving and saw the safety car enter the fray. The Brit stayed on track while his Red Bull rival opted to pit for fresh tyres.

Bahrain Grand PrixHamilton to change name in tribute to mother3 HOURS AGO Race director Michael Masi allowed the initial five lapped cars between the pair to unlap themselves, rather than all lapped cars which is the standard procedure, leading to Verstappen overtaking on fresh tyres on the final lap and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in a blockbuster finale. «We see each other in the paddocks, things are normal, we’re two drivers, pretty much like you, we have a sense of how much we like driving.

On the other side, we’re ruthless, that’s what you have to be, in business, hopefully with a bit of compassion,» Hamilton said last week. “We’re fighters, there’s no friends on the track, and so it’s a constant… some days we get it right, sometimes we get it wrong, but it’s important we keep respect.” WHAT HAPPENED IN TESTING? A lot has changed since then with new cars, fresh faces and rule changes, however some rivalries