Lewis Hamilton chose to ignore Max Verstappen when choosing his toughest rivals over the course of his Formula 1 career.
The Brit is gearing up for his 300th race in the sport at this weekend's French Grand Prix. Naturally, questions from reporters reflected on his trophy-laden past and some of the iconic moments he has played his part in since making his debut in 2007.
Hamilton has shared the grid with some of the sport's modern greats, including champions like Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, as well as fellow seven-time winner Michael Schumacher. Arguably his greatest battle is his most recent one, which was narrowly lost to Verstappen at the end of last season.
But he chose to snub the Dutchman when it came to picking out who his toughest rival over the years has been. Instead, he picked out former McLaren team-mate Alonso, with whom he had a fractious relationship as both gunned for the 2007 title.
He also went on to express his desire to go toe-to-toe with the Spaniard again before they both retire from F1. "It is difficult to say who has been the strongest competitor because every time you are against someone you are in a different place in your life," said the Mercedes star.
"I remember being alongside Fernando when I was 22. I was so young mentally. There was pressure going up against a great like him. And in terms of pure pace I would say Fernando [was the best]. We had good battles. I wish we could have some more."
Hamilton's snub of Verstappen is perhaps no great surprise, given the fact the Brit has barely tried to conceal his disapproval of the Red Bull ace's racing style. He referred to the Dutchman as "over the limit" at the height of their battle in 2021, and both drivers have not been afraid to take swipes at each other this year either.
It was the Brit who could not resist a dig after the British Grand Prix, as he praised Charles Leclerc for their fraught but fair battle in the closing stages. "Charles did a great job," he said. "What a great battle. "[He's] a very sensible driver, clearly a lot different to what I experienced last year."
Responding to that, Verstappen was happy to clap back by comparing Hamilton's battle with Leclerc to when the Brit caused his high-speed crash at Silverstone a year earlier. "I think it's quite nice that, at 37 years of age, you can still learn how to hit an apex," was his loaded response.
