Lewis Hamilton taunted F1 rivals and got more than he bargained for with Max Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton has endured two disappointing seasons after seeing Max Verstappen win his third consecutive world title. But the Mercedes star defied fate five years ago.

Lewis Hamilton’s taunts about wanting more competition have come back to haunt him, with Max Verstappen sweeping everything before him in F1.

Hamilton has won seven world championships during his career, but the last two years have become increasingly difficult. Mercedes’ design errors saw them drop down the standings and ahead of the dominant Red Bull team.

The British superstar has finished second, sixth and third in the past three seasons but has not won since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. It was a painful experience for Hamilton, who saw Verstappen take the title for the third consecutive year.

But there is one element of Hamilton’s speech that troubles him. With the Silver Arrows star entering his prime in 2019, Hamilton called on his rivals to do better.

“We look at our competitors every year and the more competition we have the better as we move forward. “You always want to go against the best when you’re the best because when you beat them, it’s harder for them and more fun for me,” he said.

Each year you set, reassess and set new goals. This is true for all of us as we welcome a new year and set new goals and objectives. So in the last few years we worked together as a team and gave everything as a team and as a car. “When I started, I raced against Ferrari. I was a very young kid, 22 years old. I had all the talent, all the training, all the training to get into Formula 1, but I didn’t get there. .” I have no experience. “It was just adrenaline and raw, wild ambition, no real strategy or experience to balance it. The ability hasn’t changed, but as the years go by, he continues to rely and build on that foundation to provide stability and build on what’s next.” It can be done. He’s performing better. .\”

Hamilton continued to demand improvements from the Mercedes team during the recession. Despite enduring another disappointing season last year, the England superstar is adamant his performance levels have not dipped.

“Ultimately, when you go through such a difficult time, there’s always a moment when you think, ‘Is it me or the car?’ do you still have it He left?” Hamilton said at the end of last season: