Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc have had multiple battles in the first half of the 2022 season. Despite being the top contenders for the championship, both drivers have managed to keep things respectful and fair between them whenever they have come across each other in a wheel-to-wheel race.

Fans love to see the two interact post-race at parc fermé and on the podiums. However, it seems that the former F1 world champion, Nico Rosberg, has a different perspective altogether.

He admitted there have been moments where we saw them having fun and laughing with each other. But he pointed to the fact that even he and Lewis Hamilton had some moments like that during their time together in Mercedes.

“Both have known each other since childhood and respect each other because they know that they are tremendous talents. But I don’t think these scenes represent the whole picture.” (Translated by Google)

“These are snapshots that you could have found between me and Lewis laughing together,” said Rosberg.

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Further, he won’t be surprised if the dynamic between Max and Charles changes as the season progresses and the fight for the title intensifies.

Ex-F1 champion chimes in on Max Verstappen-Charles Leclerc rivalry

Verstappen and Leclerc have been fighting against each other since their karting days. Arguably, this has greatly helped them determine their approach when they are wheel to wheel on the track. Although this seems like an ideal scenario for the racing fans, Rosberg believes that their rivalry is as intense as the one he had with Hamilton.

“All in all, it’s intense. Even if Charles is far behind in the World Cup. He’s not an immediate threat to Max. And oddly enough, the two have had a few very close or controversial situations together. But we’re still waiting for that, then things will look different again (laughs),” said the former world champion.

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It is hard to disagree with the former Mercedes driver. The respect and the current dynamic between the championship protagonists might come to a test very soon. It is a possibility that a clash between the two in the upcoming races can send the tensions flying.

But hopefully, both drivers can keep racing hard so the fans can live this new era of Formula 1 to the fullest. It has been exhilarating to see them battle against each other in the 2022 season.