Lew have the power
TWO GLADIATORS, ONE WINNER... AND THAT WILL BE HAMILTON
LEWIS HAMILTON and Max Verstappen are both gladiators – but it will be the old warrior left standing to celebrate his greatest F1 title triumph.
So says former driver Johnny Herbert, who’s backing his fellow Brit to triumph as Hamilton heads into the final two races of a controversial and dramatic season looking to bridge an eight-point gap to his
Dutch rival Verstappen.
Herbert is confident that Hamilton’s greater know-how in tight spots and the thrill of the challenge will get him home to a record eighth drivers’ championship.
He said: “Lewis had a tussle with Nico Rosberg five years ago – and we all know how that finished – but this one with Max feels very different. For me, it will be Lewis’s greatest triumph.
“He and Max are going at it like two gladiators, and that is bringing out the best in both. But I would give the advantage to Lewis and Mercedes.
“They’ve got their power-pack sorted out now, and the timing of that could pay dividends.
“And Lewis always appears to be at his best when there’s a challenge laid out in front of him.
“When it’s needed for him to deliver, to have the bit between his teeth and pull something out of the bag, he’s done so.
“At certain times this season, Max has held the upper hand, but he’s not always been able to make his domination count.
“Max must have come away from the track thinking, ‘What do I have to do to shake this guy off ?’. Drivers can feel that. And it draws energy away from the track. That’s why I feel Lewis has the edge going into the final two races.”
Herbert said the rivalry between Verstappen (right) and Hamilton has developed into one of sport’s great face-offs.
He added: “It’s been one of the best rivalries, if not the best, since Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. You could argue that Lewis’s match-up with Nico was as intense – but it was over quite quickly. Damon Hill’s rivalry with Michael Schumacher in
’94 was another and then there was Prost and Senna at the end of the 80s.
“But this one could go on and on. They are both special talents and it’s very rare that two come along at the same time.
“Max oozes natural ability and he has an edge – a bit like Schumacher. People have grown fed up of Mercedes’ domination and want someone to challenge Lewis. And boy, has Lewis had a fight on his hands.
“Personally, I think this tussle has re-energised not just the sport but Lewis as an individual. He needs the motivation to extend himself. He needs to get enjoyment out of it and he clearly gets something out of trying to push back against the next generation.”
The feuding antics of the rivals’ team chiefs – Mercedes’ Toto Wolff and Red Bull’s Christian Horner – have only added to the overall drama as the season reaches its climax. Herbert said: “You want to tell them to grow up. It’s like kids.
“From the outside, it might look like it could disrupt their teams – but the engineers won’t be listening to that noise. They’re working their socks off to find a crucial edge for their drivers.
“The pressure will be building on the drivers’ shoulders.
“It’s all unknown territory for Max. The other fella has plenty of experience in the bank.
“And that’s why I think Lewis will bring it home.”
It’s only live once. Watch the final two races of this dramatic season exclusively live on Sky Sports F1 and NOW