[Saba Sports News] Recently, four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel shared his views on two of today’s top drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, in a podcast. He discussed how time and experience have shaped their driving styles and profoundly changed their judgment and mindset on the track.
Vettel reflected on the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he was impressed by Hamilton’s calmness and composure. He remarked that it was one of the strongest displays of emotional management and mental strength he had ever witnessed. In his younger days, Hamilton focused solely on opportunities and speed; however, with experience, he has come to understand that a race involves much more than just one corner, especially when driving a sufficiently fast car. Patience itself has become an advantage.
Vettel then shifted his focus to Verstappen, who has also secured four championships. He pointed out that Verstappen was known for being aggressive and fearless in his early years, but he has noticeably become more restrained and mature. While Verstappen still executes seemingly impossible overtakes, he has learned to discern which opportunities are worth seizing and which ones can be temporarily passed up. When the race situation requires him to push forward quickly or execute a strategy, he remains the most destructive force in the field; however, if time and circumstances allow, he no longer rushes and doesn’t take unnecessary risks for inconsequential positions.
In the editor’s view, these transformations in Hamilton and Verstappen are key to how great drivers maintain their position at the top for an extended period.