Lewis Hamilton says the climax of the 2021 World Championship between himself and Max Verstappen is a far more enjoyable experience than the last time he fought for the title at the Yas Marina Circuit. In 2016, Hamilton and Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg went head-to-head for the title at the season finale, with the hostile relationship between the pair adding to the tension of the championship decider. But despite the contentious nature of the Red Bull/Mercedes relationship, Hamilton has explained that the 2021 decider is proving an altogether different atmosphere. "[It's] a million times different," he told accredited media, including RacingNews365.com . "It was a much, much different scenario, completely different. I feel a million times better now than I did then - I feel good."
A concession towards Rosberg
With Hamilton and Rosberg's relationship completely disintegrating over the course of their title fight in 2016, Hamilton was asked about what was so different that season compared to the battle he is currently going through with Verstappen. "It's not something that I particularly really want to go into," he explained. "But I'm just in a different place in life to 2016, facing different resistance in life. This time, we're just in a much better and happier place." But possibly indicating that his stance towards Rosberg has changed over the intervening five years, as their frosty relationship thaws away from the stress of competition, Hamilton made an admission when asked whether he feels he's a better driver now than he was in 2016. "Yes," he said and, after a long pause, quietly continued, "and team-mate."
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