Lewis Hamilton has stated he sees no difference in Max Verstappen's driving techniques now compared to three years ago and has sparked a fresh call for change.
The pair were involved in a highly intense title fight in 2021 which saw them come together on several occasions.
Verstappen is currently attempting to fend off a charge from Lando Norris. In Mexico last weekend, Verstappen was twice penalised for forcing the McLaren driver off the track, which the latter described as “dangerous”.
When asked if he shares the same point of view as Norris, Hamilton told media including RacingNews365: “All you have to do is just go back and listen to some of my radio comments back in the day.
“It's not really something I want to tap into, as it's nothing to do with me at the moment.
“If I was in the battle, I could lean more into it. But these are things you have to ask those two because they're the ones that it's affecting.
“But I don't think you can see much difference across the years, from 2021 until now - so it’s pretty much the same.”
Hamilton hopes for 2025 rule change
Hamilton and Verstappen came together in Brazil at Turn 4 during their title fight, with Verstappen pushing his rival wide in a similar nature to Norris last weekend in Mexico.
The seven-time F1 champion does not believe anything will be different going forward unless vast changes are introduced.
“Performance-wise, we've been a bit in no man's land, so we're not really receiving too much from behind, or we're not really attacking too many at the front,” Hamilton said.
“But the rules are still the same as they were back in 2021. What we saw in 2021 with myself and Max is still happening today and will continue until perhaps they make a change.”
Hamilton suggested the layout of the tracks and the run-off areas in use invite such racing tactics.
“Also the tracks, with all the run-off areas, don't help," he stated. "If it was gravel or grass, they wouldn't be doing that all the way out there.
“So it will be interesting to see the development. Hopefully, they'll make some changes for next year.”
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they dissect last weekend's Mexico City GP and look ahead to this weekend's race in São Paulo. Max Verstappen's penalties are a main talking point and whether the punishment from the FIA was too lenient, Ferrari's rise is also discussed.
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