'Verstappen vs Leclerc can be the F1 rivalry Hamilton vs Vettel failed to become'

Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc have been at the centre of some of Formula 1's most exciting moments in the last two races, and as we found out after their Austrian GP run-in, their rivalry dates back to karting days. Scott Mitchell and Stuart Codling join Glenn Freeman to discuss the mouthwatering prospect of a long-running Verstappen vs Leclerc battle at the front of F1, and how it could surpass the Lewis Hamilton vs Sebastian Vettel rivalry that has failed to live up to expectations over the last three seasons

[javiersp]

That is because Ferrari vs Red Bull is a more even match than Mercedes vs Ferrari.

[SelinaaaBro]

It's GREAT. I don't care what sides people take as long as the battles are tough but fair on track.

[stfocusmk]

Max is very much like senna.. great driver, senna would go for that gap and leave it up the his opponent if they wanted to crash or let him pass. Max has definitely taken that style into f1. He’s fast and aggressive. And fans love him

[Hieillua]

Until Verstappen goes to Mercedes who (plot twist) get overtaken by teams like Ferrari, Mclaren and Renault who found something within the 2021 regulations that Mercedes didn't. Mercedes becomes the third team and Verstappen grows frustrated. Meanwhile Red Bull falls into the midfield. Leclerc becomes a 3x world champion with Ferrari, Lando Norris becomes a 1x Mclaren champion and Ricciardo becomes a runner-up, he ends up being replaced by Lewis Hamilton, who ends up winning his 8th and last WDC and retires after a year of Renault.


This story has been brought to you by mushrooms.

[suiiperable]

Even tho I'm a Schumacher fan, it was so much fun to see young Alonso challenging him

[golddiggerdave]

Give the Redbull a few more horses and I'd pay to watch Lewis and Max go at it.

[ronaldderooij]

Well, in karting, Verstappen was significantly better. Not by much, but significantly. They both love racing. They need not to love or hate each other. I think they will have talked after Silverstone to thank each other.

[JFein]

5:45 *YouTube auto-generated captions:*

the _Snapple and Eclair_ rivalry

[jessereddragon]

I have admiration for Leclerc by him saying if thats how we are aloud to race then I going to give it to Max and take it right to him instead of just complaining on the radio on how Max drives, this is something allot of drivers should think about, as fans we dont want to hear drivers complain about other drivers on the radio we want them to handle it on the track like racing drivers

[Judysmokeypuma]

How is it 1-1? Max won the battle from leclerc, that makes it 2-0, got taken out by Vettel doesn't mean he lost the battle to leclerc. Max is at the center of excitement, Leclerc is putting up a good fight.

[Unique_Racing]

Yup Max, Charles and Lando, i see big things and crazy races in the future 😂 can’t wait for this weekend 🏎💨

[RoowF]

2019: ''pleas give those 2 a big fight like this year"
2020: "i don't think so"

[inflatable]

Hold your horses.. It will al depend on the cars both are in.. it's fun now because the Red Bull and Ferrari are so evenly matched, but If one or the other is not in a competitive car there will be no rivalry..

[alanendurace]

Scott Mitchell is brilliant F1 analyst! What a gem to have him!

[MrShadowofthewind]

If it wasn't for the safety car ? If it wasn't for Vettel crashing into Verstappen, Verstappen would have finished infront of Leclerc, the thing us, Verstappen has always been better.

[aleksdj]

As far as I remember, in last 15 years, big rivalries were Alonso vs Shumi, Alonso vs Hamilton, Alonso vs Vettel, Rosberg vs Hamilton, Hamilton vs Vettel could not be compared to previous rivalries because Lewis was much better in every aspect...

[rycx]

Points over 4 seasons *Ham 1335 - 1194 Ros* ( 89.5% of Hamiltons points. *91.2%* ignoring double points in abu dhabi 2014)

Points over 2 Seasons *Ham 771 - 637 Vet* ( *82.6%* of Hamiltons points)

Points over 2.5 seasons *Ham 994 - 736 Bot* ( *74%* of Hamiltons points)

Given Ferrari and Merc were pretty much equal in 2018 (daresay ferraris car was slightly better overall). No-one has come close to Rosbergs level against Hamilton

[bynahelemaal]

It would’ve been more fun if the rb was evenly matched on straight line speed! Also fun that it took thaat long to leclerc realize how max drives! Max’s been driving like that forever xD

[JFein]

Wow I really disagree, I think battles are so much more exciting between two friends who like and respect each other than two guys who hate each other. Hate leads to stupid, forced moves, friendship leads to respect on track and brilliant battles.

I hope that one day Lando and Max end up in comparable cars, because they’re good buddies and I think their battles would be absolutely brilliant.

I don’t mind a bit of rivalry, a la Charles and Max right now, but “hate” is a step in the wrong direction for me. The Lewis/Nico relationship was painful to watch devolve, and even cringe-worthy at times, and it made them both unhappy and made F1 seem like a toxic environment. Drivers should be having fun out there, battling with guys they at least have respect for.

At the end of the day, there’s nothing better than seeing a brilliant battle play out on track, and then having the guy who ultimately lost out give a thumbs up, congratulate his friend/rival on a job well done, and say “I’ll get ya next time”

[luckinout]

Hamilton vs Rosberg was far better than Ham vs Vet