The proof Lewis Hamilton’s relationship with Max Verstappen has changed | F1 | Sport

In the moments following Lewis Hamilton‘s exit from his Ferrari after celebrating the 106th Grand Prix victory of his illustrious career in Barcelona on Sunday, his fellow Formula One drivers made a conscious effort to offer him their congratulations. The majority warmly embraced Hamilton, who is a popular man among the grid.

Max Verstappen merely extended a handshake but grinned, shared a few pleasant remarks and appeared genuine and cordial when he subsequently commended Hamilton and Ferrari. “Congrats Lewis Hamilton, first win in red,” Verstappen published on social media. It would be reasonable to suggest Hamilton’s relationship with Verstappen – not merely chilly but practically arctic previously – has thawed somewhat over recent years.

Whenever the pair are spotted in each other’s company, it proves difficult not to recall 2021 and the occasion Verstappen denied Hamilton a record-breaking eighth Drivers’ Championship.

The Dutchman could not have prevented Hamilton from officially claiming the title of F1’s Greatest Of All Time without the assistance of race director Michael Masi, who was subsequently sacked from his role.

It represented a profound miscarriage of justice. Since that point, the prospects of Hamilton, now 41, securing that elusive eighth crown have seemed to diminish progressively.

Following that 2021 campaign, Hamilton was forced to wait until 2024 for his next Grand Prix victory and after wins at Silverstone and Spa that season, he endured a drought lasting until Barcelona last weekend. Across four and a half years, he has claimed three wins.

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

But the fashion of his victory in Barcelona, the speed he demonstrated, and perhaps more importantly, his attitude this season, has created the very real possibility of Hamilton claiming that eighth championship.

He sits 41 points adrift of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, who tops that leaderboard after winning five of the seven races this year.

Following the scrapping of the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, there are still 15 more planned for this season – ample opportunity for Hamilton to catch Antonelli and remain ahead of the young Italian’s team-mate, George Russell.

The Ferrari has now positioned itself as a genuine challenger to the Mercedes, in terms of pace, and Hamilton, very happy in his current relationship with Kim Kardashian, appears remarkably revitalised.

After being regularly out-qualified by team-mate Charles Leclerc last year, Hamilton holds the advantage this season.

He has more podium appearances than Leclerc (4-2). He has more speed. And his triumph in Spain came after runner-up finishes in Canada and Monaco, so you cannot say it was a shock.

With Antonelli failing to finish in Barcelona, doubts are being raised about Mercedes’ reliability. In a couple of races, the Grand Prix arrives at Silverstone, where Hamilton has triumphed a record nine times.

There is, naturally, still a considerable distance to travel in the championship fight but simply having Hamilton in contention at this juncture is a massive fillip for Formula One. He remains one of its greatest stars, if not THE greatest star.

He has been written off countless times throughout the years that have elapsed since that day in Abu Dhabi. At times, he appears to have been close to writing himself off.

Yet Hamilton is back, that is now unquestionable. And his pursuit of that elusive eighth world championship could prove THE sporting narrative of the year.