Jacques Villeneuve thinks Lewis Hamilton finally respects Max Verstappen after what he saw in Mexico

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Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen clashed at the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend. But Jacques Villeneuve saw Hamilton show a newfound respect towards his former rival.

Direct tussles between Hamilton and Verstappen have been rare – disappointingly for neutrals – since their epic 2021 championship battle. The former has struggled in the ground-effect era, while the latter has continued winning titles.

But in Mexico, Hamilton was running third in the early stages after a season-best qualifying result, with Verstappen directly behind. The Dutchman attempted a brave move into turn one that caught the Ferrari driver off guard, leading to minor contact.

Hamilton said Verstappen had pushed him wide, but the stewards ruled it a racing incident. When George Russell got involved in the battle at turn four, the seven-time world champion took avoiding action across the grass and received a penalty for gaining an advantage.

Jacques Villeneuve says Lewis Hamilton is starting to recognise Max Verstappen’s achievements

During Sky Sports’ F1 Show podcast, Martin Brundle asked Villeneuve whether Hamilton would be ‘bothered’ in the least if he compromised Verstappen’s title chances given the bitter nature of the 2021 season.

While Verstappen went on to finish third in the race, he might have been second had he not lost time trying to overtake Hamilton. Indeed, Oliver Bearman passed him in the aforementioned turn-four melee.

Hamilton has given the McLaren drivers advice on how to beat Verstappen, and Villeneuve acknowledges that he’d ‘probably’ prefer one of them to win the title. But he also says that the sport’s most successful driver is starting to give the Red Bull superstar recognition.

Brundle said: “Jacques, I don’t think he’d do it intentionally, because I don’t think he’s a dirty driver, but do you think Lewis would be that bothered if he hurt Max’s championship chances, given 2021?

Villeneuve replied: “Personally, probably not. It looks to me that he’s finally respecting Max for what he’s achieving and the way he’s been winning, race weekend after race weekend. I don’t think he’s as bothered as he would have been two years ago.”

Max Verstappen can only be intimidated by one F1 driver

Simon Lazenby says Verstappen is one of the most ‘honest’ drivers in F1, and a ‘super down-to-earth’ personality. He’s an assassin on track, which has made him some sporting enemies, but his approach clearly works.

Verstappen clearly feels he has Hamilton’s number, which is why he attempted the turn-one manoeuvre from relatively far back. But he seems to be more wary when racing Charles Leclerc.

• READ MORE: Max Verstappen proved he respects Charles Leclerc more than Lewis Hamilton with one Mexican GP move

According to Isack Hadjar, Verstappen shows Leclerc more ‘respect’ when they fight on track. Having competed in karting, they’re experts in one another’s racecraft.

The duel between the two drivers in Mexico didn’t reach a natural conclusion due to a late virtual safety car interruption.