“Max is a little more aggressive”: Leclerc compares Verstappen and Hamilton

Without surprise, Toto wolff and Christian Horner both defended the merits of their respective pilots this Friday in Sochi (Russia).

While the two protagonists in the fight for the 2021 title seem more and more attracted like magnets, each has their own arguments.

The main team Red Bull Racing thus refuted the theory according to which its star pilot did not know how to put water in his wine and take his foot off when necessary.

« Max is a fierce competitor, Horner said. This is part of his nature and what makes him so fascinating and popular. You know he will always give you 110% when he is behind the wheel.

I think this attitude also has an impact on his competitors, who know how to deal with a driver who will take initiatives.

Naturally, you have to know how to keep measure. And I think he showed restraint in key moments this year.

But he remains an offensive runner, focused on attack and that will not change ».

His Austrian counterpart believes for his part that the collisions at Silverstone (United Kingdom) and Monza (Italy) are the result of the refusal toHamilton to continue to take the path of compromise in the face of the intransigence of its rival.

« Lewis changed his approach and basically decided that he was no longer going to let it slide when he felt he had taken the advantage and therefore the right of way in a corner “, commented Wolff.

The analysis of the two team bosses is not lacking in interest but would it not be wise in this matter to also have a non-partisan opinion?

• “Lewis is very, very smart when it comes to positioning his car”

Charles Leclerc is undoubtedly one of the best placed on the current grid to compare the driving style of the two leaders on the grid. In 2019, the Monegasque found himself involved in tough duels with Verstappen and Hamilton.

In Austria, the pilot Ferrari was heading towards his first career victory when his opponent Red Bull caught up with him and dispossessed him of the leadership at the cost of a shoehorned maneuver 3 laps from the checkerboard.

During the following round at Silverstone, Leclerc learned his lesson: the two young drivers had engaged in a breathtaking mano-a-mano which never crossed the limits of lack of fair play.

At Monza the same year, it was the terrible pressure from a very enterprising Hamilton that Leclerc had to resist, who did not hesitate to jostle with the driver Mercedes, receiving a warning.

So, between Verstappen and Hamilton, which is more difficult to maneuver?

Leclerc’s response: “ They both have different styles. Max is a little more aggressive, while Lewis is a little cleaner. It's fun to fight against them.

Lewis is very, very smart when it comes to placing his car and getting you into trouble. And most of the time, he manages to pass cleanly. Max is a little more aggressive.

I like fighting both. In fact, I really enjoy pushing myself with Max because we're always on the limit. ».

Leclerc added that he would not be surprised to see the two warring parties bicker again by the end of the season.

We neither.