Lewis Hamilton 'finally respecting' Max Verstappen after intense rivalry

1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve believes Lewis Hamilton is starting to respect Max Verstappen amid his late injection into the F1 title fight.

Verstappen has dramatically closed the deficit to the championship leader across the last handful of races, cutting a 104 margin in September to 36 points after the Mexico City Grand Prix last weekend.

The Dutchman is seen as an outside bet in the title fight with four rounds remaining as he seeks to beat both McLaren drivers to the championship.

Verstappen once endured a tense rivalry with Hamilton when the duo contended for the 2021 F1 title, clashing on several occasions.

Speaking on the Sky F1 podcast, former F1 driver Martin Brundle proposed a question for Villeneuve.

“I don't think he would do it intentionally, because I don't think he's a dirty driver - but do you think Lewis would be that bothered if he hurt Max's championship chances, given 2021?” Brundle asked.

Villeneuve replied: “Personally, probably not.

“But it looks to me that he's finally respecting Max for what he's achieving and the way he's been winning race weekend after race weekend. 

“So I don't think he's as bothered as he would have been two years ago.”

Versatppen ended the Mexico City Grand Prix in third place, marking his sixth consecutive race on the podium.

Hamilton was in contention for a podium early on, before a 10-second time penalty for gaining an advantage off the track while battling Verstappen forced him to settle for eighth place.

Brundle outlined he feels the penalty for Hamilton was deserved.

“He had a big advantage, he didn't really go to a lot of trouble to back up again and hand back either the position or 100 or 200 meters,” he said.

“So unless there is mitigating circumstances, that has to be a 10-second, not a five-second penalty. So that's my clarity, as far as my brain is concerned.”