The rivalry between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton was a thing of F1 beauty. The ardent rivals fought tooth and nail for the 2021 championship, putting everything on the line. However, the desire for the maiden championship trumped the aspiration for a record-breaking eighth title.

The championship bout that stretched down to the wire, and concluded with controversy, produced a gripping season. And despite a largely entertaining season, we cannot compare the 2022 season to the 2021 season.

After numerous errors from Ferrari coupled with reliability issues, Red Bull seems to be running away with the championship on both fronts. Mercedes are a shadow of their 2021 self and unable to give Red Bull a run for their money.

However, the Dutchman declared he prefers the 2022 season tussle with Leclerc over the one with Hamilton.

Speaking to Sky Italy, Verstappen said, “I prefer what we have now because, first of all, Charles I know very well, he’s a nice guy, we are a similar age…”

“On Saturday night, we even had a laugh in Paul Ricard… We are hard competitors on the track and we will always try to beat each other, which I think is very normal, but outside of it you can have a good time as well, and that’s what I really enjoy about this year.”

“Let’s say it like this, I would not be on a table on Saturday night having a laugh with (Mercedes),” he added.

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Interesting to see Verstappen completely dismissing the 2021 rivalry with Mercedes. Safe to assume that Verstappen’s comments will get reactions from the F1 fraternity.

Max Verstappen prefers the 2022 season over 2021 and a former driver reacts

Former racing driver Johnny Herbert has already recorded his disbelief over Verstappen’s comments. “(It was) disappointing actually in many respects,” said Sky Sports F1’s Johnny Herbert.

And added, “He seems to sort of just dismissed Lewis straight away, and then he was straight onto Charles and Ferrari the battle they’re having. But I don’t understand why his comments would be so negative towards Lewis and the battle that they had last year. I’m quite perplexed.”

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Herbert is one of many who have reacted to Verstappen’s comments as the Dutchman potentially opens a can of worms.