Leclerc vs Verstappen: A Story 12 Years in the Making

The Verstappen vs Leclerc title fight is looking like it's going to be one of the most exciting we've seen since... well last year I guess. But what's the story, what's the history between these two lads, so similar in age.

Let's talk about it.

Charles first event details:

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#TommoF1 #Verstappen #Leclerc

[avinashanish]

Crazy to think that Max and Charles are only separated by 16 days but Max has almost twice the amount of years in F1 than Charles.

[Spamfriedrice]

Lewis: That's some dangerous driving, man

Charles: Just an inchident on the race

[stuffzie]

"Leclerc and verstappen are going to have a great 2022 battle."

Ferrari strategy team:

[Sklt]

There is a story that Van Amersfoort (the team owner F3) spoke to a journalist about Max saying he was a once in a generation kind of talent. A year later he spoke to the same journalist, I know what I told you last year, but I have another one, this time talking about Charles of course.

[KoSXxPotatisbarnetXD]

Everytime I think about the fact Max has 8 years of F1 experience my mind is blown

[ac]

the fact that they are 16 days aparte and faced each other on 33 ocasiones from 2010 to 2013 is insane considering their F1 numbers are #16 and #33, what kind of predestined (CL) rivalry is this!?!?!?!?

[jaceffenberg]

This battle is what I was waiting for since Charles entered F1.
I have always been sure that these two, being the same age, would have battled for at least 10 Yeats in this category, and having these two generational talento comepting against each other is our best luck as fans :)

[srikarm]

It was Senna vs Prost, then it was Schumacher vs Everyone, then late it was Hamilton vs Vettel, now it is Leclerc vs

[Drrolfski]

This rivalry has probably even more potential than the Max vs Lewis one. And I actually really enjoyed the epic gloves-off, battle-of-the-generations, class-of-their-own title fight between Max and Lewis in 2021.

[ikmalfriday]

Charles definitely has more emotional and special journey than Max. This man went through 3 death throughout his career. Won F2 Baku by big margin 3 days after his father died. His first win after Hubert died and his godfather Jules Bianchi death. Overcoming these death at such young age definitely changed his ability as a driver

[EpicLiima]

Max and Charles share a lot elements what Schumi and Häkkinen had. The long history from karting to this day is clearly seen as mutual respect with no BS type of communication.

[NardKoning]

Max didn't actually have that much money backing. His advantage comes from being taught all the tricks by both parents at an early age. Jos had trouble paying for Max before F3 already I believe.

[hard_yakka]

Personally still got Max to win the WDC mostly due to his previous experience in such a close title fight. I think he'll be more consistent over the season... assuming the reliability gets sorted.

[jacksonrodrigues]

I’ve watched F1 since 2001, and to tell you the truth, I’ve never seen anyone driving like Max does. Pure hard and consistency!

[jkliao]

I think Leclerc is on 2019's Verstappen level. Capable of winning a championship but not as dominant in terms of as a driver. Really looking forward to this season and beyond.

[xxKURTMANxx]

As a Max fan I’m probably a little biased but there’s no doubting Leclerc’s talent.

[lukewood]

Question: Are they both the greatest drivers of their countries' F1 history?

[manishthakur]

Max never really had F2 career and jumped from F3 to F1 is blowing my mind.

[sassiehertogs]

great stuff Tommo, compliments!

For me they’re both on top.

I am so happy for Charles that after 2 miserable years he finally got the car from Ferrari with which he can show what we have been waiting for for years. We have a great season ahead of us and I'm just loving it!

Although I'm Dutch and a big fan of Max, I also really enjoy Charles, I don't care (well maybe a little) who becomes champion, they both deserve it, but let them fight hard for it….so we can all enjoy it!

[MM_IT]

personally I am quite certain that this rivalry between the two will never go too far, certainly not at the 2021 level with Lewis. certainly during the season there will be contacts, accidents, controversies if you fight for the title, but from the outside you can see a big difference in the relationship between the two compared to their relationship with Lewis. despite as explained (once again) very well by Tommo, they clashed practically for half of their life, still today they have a splendid relationship, and despite two strong characters, we often see them chatting and laughing together. I think the difference is given by the fact that they grew up together sportingly, and growing together despite the "rivalry", you know your opponent well, you respect him enormously. last year here in Italy there was an interview with Charles where he says he would have been happy to see Max world champion, and that he values ​​him very much as a rider and as a person. the same thing can be said of Max with Charles (like the post-race compliments in Bahrain for example). in fact if you think about it, many peers or similar in f1 are very friends with each other, Max and Charles but also Alex, Lando, George, Pierre. and as normal that it is mostly off the track they have different ratios than a Lewis or Sebastian for example.