Verstappen and Hamilton after the Russian Grand Prix — Photo: © LAT Images

Max Verstappen - Lewis Hamilton

Verstappen believes "little details" will beat Hamilton to F1 title

Verstappen holds a 12-point lead over Hamilton

Ian Parkes

Monday 1 November 2021 18:19

Max Verstappen believes perfecting "the little details" will prove F1 title-defining in his epic battle with Lewis Hamilton this season.

Red Bull driver Verstappen seems to have the upper hand over Hamilton going into the final five races after emerging from Mercedes' strongholds in Russia, Turkey and the United States with a 12-point lead.

With favourable tracks for Red Bull coming up in Mexico and Brazil, the balance, for now, is in Verstappen's favour.

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Asked in an interview with this writer for The New York Times as to the key defining moments that will split him and Hamilton over the end of the season, Verstappen said: "First of all, just trying to maximise everything every single weekend.

"Even though you can have the fastest car, you still need to be perfect to beat each other. It's all about the little details that can make a big difference.

"That's the general focus of everyone, pit stops, the set-up work, preparation before you go into a weekend, what happens in a race, rain, for example.

"It completely mixes up a grid and the results, in the end, and a lot of things can still happen as well throughout a race."

Verstappen "calm" in heat of Hamilton battle

Verstappen also has no doubt he has learned from his on-track incidents with seven-time champion Hamilton this season which has resulted in crashes during the British and Italian Grand Prix.

Believing himself to be a calm person, Verstappen added: "These incidents weren't great, but what can you do about it?

"Of course, you analyse everything, but I think as a person, I've been the same. I was calm on those occasions as well.

"I always try to do the best I can, but there is no additional pressure. I would say if you have a good car it even takes more pressure away because you just go to a weekend and know that you can have a good result.

"I think that makes me really calm. I guess I have always been like that. I've always been pretty much the same person I think."