Verstappen v Hamilton: F1 champion ready to renew blockbuster rivalry

When the lights go out in Bahrain for the first race of the new Formula One season next Sunday, the rolling thunder of engines will potentially presage a mighty storm. For the reigning champion, Max Verstappen, and the seven-times title-winner Lewis Hamilton this is battle rejoined, a tempest to revel in. After the pair went head to head for 22 races last year, they will surely once more be at the schwerpunkt of this championship fight.

Hamilton’s pedigree is well known: at 37 he is the most successful F1 driver of all time. On last season’s form the Briton is at the top of his game and this time motivated perhaps like never before after he and his Mercedes team felt they were robbed of the title amid the controversy of last year’s final round in Abu Dhabi, when Verstappen secured the win and his first championship.

The Dutchman, in contrast, has the potential to rack up more titles but is in new territory defending his first. He is still only 24 but while he is entering his eighth F1 season the pressure he faces is intense, ratcheted up by the ferocity of the pair’s fight last year that saw them clash repeatedly on track as they battled for every advantage. It was gripping, both fighting their corner, both convinced of the righteousness of their cause. By the close Hamilton felt hard done by with the decisions in Abu Dhabi that cost him a record eighth title, but Verstappen has been adamant his performances across the season more than earned him the championship.

If Verstappen is feeling any pressure his demeanour does not betray it. He was relaxed and jovial at testing, as befits a driver for whom driving is all and who is most comfortable in a car.

“He has no interest in selling himself, he is a very private guy,”