Lewis Hamilton’s Bold Move Sparks Surprising Max Verstappen Comparison

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen showed very different approaches during the closing stages of the recent Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

Former Formula 1 driver Sebastien Buemi openly admitted he was caught off guard by Hamilton’s decision not to defend his position from Nico Hulkenberg, especially since the move cost Hamilton a spot inside the top five.

On the other side, Verstappen was handed a 10-second penalty and three penalty points after a dramatic incident at Turn 5 with George Russell. This pushed him close to a race ban and forced him down to 10th in the final standings. More details on this can be found in the coverage of the Verstappen-Russell incident.

This contrast became clear when Hulkenberg, driving for Stake F1, overtook Hamilton without a major struggle on the run to the first corner.

Hamilton’s choice not to defend was a sharp departure from Verstappen’s aggressive style just a few laps prior.

Verstappen, running on hard tires, had been instructed by his Red Bull engineers to let Russell by after a near miss three laps earlier. Instead of giving up his place, Verstappen pushed on, leading to contact with the British driver and a heavy penalty which impacted his race result.

When asked about the incidents on a podcast, Buemi explained he thought Verstappen’s decision was typical of his character—he always puts up a fight, no matter the situation or tire disadvantage. “Max, when you watch, he’s not going to give up, he’s going to fight very hard. So, of course, where is the limit is always difficult, but within that he’s not going to give up,” Buemi said.

He also admitted he expected Hamilton to put up much stronger resistance when Hulkenberg made his move.

The aftermath of these choices left both drivers facing consequences. Hamilton missed out on valuable points for his new team at Ferrari, as discussed in the Ferrari Lewis Hamilton verdict.

Verstappen’s penalty points add up to a risky total, which could see him sidelined if more incidents follow. These pivotal moments have increased interest as the season heads to the Canadian Grand Prix.

In the 2025 Formula 1 standings, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri leads with 186 points, followed closely by Lando Norris at 176. Verstappen holds third with 137, while George Russell and Charles Leclerc sit in fourth and fifth with 111 and 94 points, respectively.

Hamilton is currently sixth with 71 points after his result in Spain. In the Constructors’ race, McLaren has built a strong total of 362 points. Ferrari follows with 165, Mercedes with 159, Red Bull with 144, Williams with 54, and Racing Bulls with 28.

Fans are looking ahead to the next races, including the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 15, the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring on June 29, and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 6. These events promise more on-track battles, as leading drivers and teams compete for critical championship points.

The podcast episode alongside Sebastien Buemi also explored upcoming events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the potential for Max Verstappen to participate remains a talking point. Discussions circled around how Verstappen’s adaptable driving style might translate should he ever line up for the endurance classic.

Both Hamilton and Verstappen will be seeking to rebound from Barcelona, with fans eager to see if Hamilton’s approach changes and if Verstappen keeps his aggressive edge while avoiding further penalties. As the championship heats up, each decision on track could make the difference in the standings.