Lewis Hamilton is said to be the most successful driver in Formula 1 history, with seven world titles in his hand and multiple constructor wins due to his contribution to his team. Known for his unbelievable partnership with his team, Mercedes-AMG Petronas, he gained recognition and became one of the grid’s most loved and admired drivers.
However, his success was not as fruitful without the cutthroat rivalries he had throughout his career, each one more ‘edge of the seat’ than the other, reinforcing the unpredictability of the sport.
Lewis Hamilton versus Fernando Alonso
The Hamilton-Alonso rivalry is one of the most iconic and longest rivalries in Formula 1 history, with them having shared over 300 races and fighting each other for wins.
Hamilton’s rivalry with Fernando Alonso began in 2007 when they were McLaren teammates. Hamilton, a rookie, quickly matched the reigning champion’s pace, leading to a tense and competitive season.
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Speaking in an episode of Motor Sport’s Engineering the Greats podcast, former McLaren race engineer Steve Hallam describes what it was like to be in the middle of a team at the moment it fractured into two warring factions.
“The pace of Lewis very pleasantly surprised us all. He had a preparation for F1 way ahead of its time. We got to Melbourne, and he was quick. Fernando was quick. “
The rivalry featured numerous on-track incidents and name-calling, marking a missed opportunity for one of F1’s greatest team pairings. Their intense competition continued even after they parted ways, solidifying one of the sport’s longest and most iconic rivalries.
Brit versus Brit: Jenson Button
Jenson Button described Hamilton as “one of the greats,” but their time as McLaren teammates from 2010 to 2012 was marked by tension. Button added:
“Of everybody on the grid, he’s the guy who really has that ‘gift’.”
Button’s arrival disrupted the team dynamic, creating friction as Hamilton struggled with the shift from “his team” to “our team.” Notable incidents included the 2010 Turkish Grand Prix, where Hamilton accused Button of ignoring team orders, and Hamilton’s controversial social media posts.
Despite the competitive aspect, their off-track relationship remained strained, marked by awkward silences. Reflecting on Hamilton’s departure to Mercedes in 2012, Button admitted disappointment but recognised Hamilton’s growth, acknowledging him as “a more rounded character.”
Best Friends to Rivals: Nico Rosberg
Their battle in 2016 was their most heated, leaving a big rift even in their private relationship. The intense rivalry between the two escalated on the track, leading to the infamous collisions in Austria and Spain.
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Ultimately, Rosberg clinched the 2016 championship but retired soon after. Reflecting on their fierce competition, Rosberg told Eurosport he had to venture “into the grey areas” to secure the title. He explained:
“It [the friendship breakdown] happened immediately when we were fighting for the World Championship, not before. But that’s always the case: When you’re fighting for success in every race and for titles, it doesn’t work anymore.”
However, Rosberg recently said that their friendship has healed due to efforts made by the British driver. Thus, their relationship stands as a testament to how their friendship prevailed in the end.
Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton: Best Friends off-track, Rivals on-track
Lewis Hamilton has acknowledged his battles with Sebastian Vettel for the Formula One world championship as the greatest so far in his career. After his rivalry with Fernando Alonso, this pair had held the record for the second-longest rivalry, sharing almost 300 races, before Vettel retired at the end of 2022.
“Mine and Seb’s battles were my favourites so far… It’s knowing I was racing against an incredible driver—not only that, but a great man in Seb… That was a difficult period for us, and it brought us closer because the respect we have between us is huge.”
In 2017 and 2018, Hamilton and Ferrari’s Vettel engaged in a closely contested battle for the championship. But their rivalry and competition had stemmed since their initial days on track, ever since Vettel clinched his four back-to-back world titles.
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However, today they are both great friends and comrades, with immense respect for each other. Moreover, Hamilton’s comment on how Vettel might return even after retiring testifies to their friendship.
Verstappen and Hamilton: Is he the 8-time world champion?
One of the most cutthroat battles in modern motorsports was the 2021 rivalry between Max Verstappen and Hamilton, which raised the most uproar and controversy.
The 2021 rivalry between Hamilton and Max Verstappen was one of the most contentious in modern motorsports. For the first time in nearly 50 years, the title rivals entered the finale tied on points.
Verstappen took pole at Yas Marina, with Hamilton sharing the front row. Hamilton led the race early on, but controversy arose at Turn 6 when he went off track to stay ahead of Verstappen with no action taken. Sergio Perez’s strong defense helped Verstappen catch up on Lap 21, and a Virtual Safety Car allowed Verstappen a free pit stop, though Hamilton still had the pace advantage.
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A late safety car dramatically shifted the race, enabling Verstappen to pit again and attack Hamilton on the final lap. Verstappen overtook Hamilton at Turn 5, securing victory and the 2021 drivers’ title. This dramatic finish is still debated among fans, highlighting the rivalry’s intensity.
So it goes without saying that Lewis Hamilton’s career isn’t just a collection of victories and titles—it’s a saga of fierce rivalries that have defined modern Formula 1.
Rohit Kumar