Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were involved in one of Formula 1’s greatest-ever title battles during the 2021 season. While nobody would describe them as friends, their rivalry has since cooled.
Verstappen now has other foes. He remains friends with Lando Norris, but the McLaren driver’s victory at the Australian Grand Prix has underlined his status as the 2025 title favourite.
He could be the man to end Verstappen’s streak at four in a row, preventing him from equalling Michael Schumacher’s record. After the incidents in Austria and Mexico in 2024, further on-track clashes would strain their relationship.
Verstappen has publicly clashed with George Russell, Hamilton’s former Mercedes teammate. The seven-time world champion was largely an observer rather than an active participant when that particular rivalry exploded in Abu Dhabi last year.
Hamilton hasn’t been able to regularly challenge Verstappen for race wins since the start of 2022. While his Ferrari debut was a disappointment, he’ll hope to beat the Dutchman on a consistent basis this term.
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton finally aligned on the return of V10 engines to F1
During Thursday’s media day ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, Verstappen and Hamilton were both asked about a proposal from Mohamed Ben Sulayem to bring back V10 engines. This would come into effect for the 2030 season.
According to journalist Julianne Cerasoli, speaking on the Pit Pass F1 podcast, Hamilton is in favour of V10s returning. He fondly remembers the roar of Michael Schumacher’s cars as a child.
Verstappen, meanwhile, suggested that he could stay in the sport longer if the engines made a comeback. Many fans have complained about the lack of noise from the V6 turbo/hybrids relative to their predecessors.
Given their history, Cerasoli felt it was noteworthy that Hamilton and Verstappen were on the same page.
“Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen agreed on something for once,” she said. “They want the V10s back.
“Hamilton said ‘let’s bring the V10s back’, he was remembering the first time he’s ever seen in an F1 car, his ribcage was pumping with Michael Schumacher passing by in front of him in Spa. He was bringing back those memories and he said ‘we want it back, if sustainability is still something that we can achieve.
“Max Verstappen even said ‘if we have the V10s back, I might even hang around here for longer because it’s going to be much more interesting than the engines we have today.”
Mohamed Ben Sulayem V10 plan could spell the end of one F1 team
F1 hasn’t raced with V10s since 2005. Cosworth could be tempted to make a comeback if the proposal goes through, but other manufacturers will inevitably be opposed.
There have even been private suggestions that the current rules could be extended to the end of 2027, facilitating an immediate switch to V10s on sustainable fuel in ’28. Audi would be ‘finished’ if F1 pursued that direction.
Like the rest of the teams, they have already set to work on a V6 with a significantly larger battery and no MGU-H. Cynics would suggest that Ben Sulayem is trying to boost his popularity after a damaging year.
The FIA have clashed with Verstappen and some of his fellow drivers after implementing controversial new driver conduct rules. There have also been a swathe of departures from the sport’s governing body, pointing to internal discontent.
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