GREATEST SHOWMAN
Herbert: Lew thrives on a scrap and he’ll pip Max to the title
LEWIS HAMILTON and Max Verstappen are both gladiators – and it will be the old warrior left standing to celebrate his greatest F1 title triumph.
So says former driver Johnny Herbert (below) who’s backing his fellow Brit to triumph as Hamilton, 36, heads into the final two races of a controversial and dramatic season looking to bridge an eight-point gap to his 24-year-old Dutch rival.
Herbert said: “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 that count.
“Max must have come away from the track thinking, ‘What do I have to do to shake this guy off?’.
“It’s been one of the best rivalries, if not the best, since Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. You could argue that
Lewis’s duel with Nico Rosberg was as intense, but it was over quickly.
“Damon Hill’s rivalry with Michael Schumacher in ’94 was another. 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.
Feuding
“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 clearly gets something out of trying to push back against the next generation.”
The feuding antics of the rival team chiefs – Mercedes’ Toto Wolff and Red Bull’s Christian Horner – have only added to the overall drama. Herbert said: “It might look like it could disrupt their teams – but the engineers won’t be listening to that noise.
“The pressure will be building on the drivers’ shoulders now.
“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 TV
Two races to go