Hamilton is back on the grid today to extend his championship lead over F1 rival Max Verstappen. The two had argued all season, and tensions came to a head in one of the most dramatic races ever to be seen at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. After half a lap of the race, the two racers collided in the Copse corner, forcing Verstappen to give up and go to the hospital while Hamilton took the win.
His win came despite a 10-second penalty for his role in the incident.
In today’s Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton and Verstappen will both lead the field to collect more points on their way to becoming world champions.
With another world crown, Hamilton would usurp Schumacher as the most decorated F1 driver in history, with the British driver currently sharing seven titles with his German colleague.
Comparisons between the two have been made regularly, particularly about who is the sport’s greatest racer of all time.
Ex-Formula 1 driver Nick Heidfeld offered his very own perspective on the mentality of the two racing drivers.
He knew both drivers and worked with them throughout his career in motorsport.
In an interview with Auto Bild earlier this year, Heidfeld examined how Hamilton and Schumacher both exuded an “intensity” that is unmatched by other rivals.
He said: “In direct conversation with both of them I experienced a certain intensity like nobody else in general or in racing.
JUST IN: Holland LIVE Grand Prix: Verstappen leads ahead of Hamilton and Bottas
And for Heidfeld, Schumacher was responsible for Hamilton’s success.
He added, “The fact that Michael was involved in today’s success can be dismissed as PR talk, but I also believe that he was instrumental in moving the team in the right direction.
“How sustainable this has been over the years is difficult to assess, but it definitely had an influence.
“During my time as a Mercedes test driver, it was really exciting to see him work live with the team – how calm, persistent and focused he was after all these years with his experience, his extreme knowledge and his enormous standing.
“Everyone listened to him. It was great to hear that.”
Ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton and Verstappen rekindled their feud by revisiting the chaotic scenes that took place earlier this year.
Both were interviewed while overtaking, which eventually led to the incident in which Verstappen was hospitalized.
The Dutch driver said: “I think time will tell. As a driver you always try to make the best possible start and then see what happens.”
Hamilton then admitted that there was “not much more to add” as to whether overtaking would be important in the race.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff added: “The two protagonists will start side by side more often this season and I think we shouldn’t assume that there will always be an incident.
“They’re both among the best and they know that every win counts. They’ll do it fair and fair, but tough.”
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