And while his commanding championship lead makes it look as though the title is Hamilton’s to lose, there are plenty of points to race for, and as previous seasons have shown, anything can happen during the end-of-season run-in. With the title battle nearing its end and the pair’s recent history of on-track bumps, tensions are high going into what will undoubtedly be another tight race.

But how does their rivalry compare to some of the others in the sport’s long, illustrious history? Read on to find out…

Lewis Hamilton v Sebastian Vettel: 2010-present

From 2010’s tight, four-way title battle to their duels in 2017 and 2018, these two have been closely matched for years. Despite a choice comment here or there, an occasionally awkward press conference and the odd on-track incident, there appears to be a surprising amount of respect between these two modern greats.

Lewis Hamilton v Nico Rosberg: 2013-2016

In their four seasons as teammates, these two childhood friends bumped, crumped and even threw a hat at one another as they battled for the title in their blisteringly quick Mercedes cars. Unsurprisingly, their friendship soon made way for a fierce, thrilling rivalry that captivated fans the world over.

Fernando Alonso v Sebastian Vettel: 2010-2012

While this rivalry wasn’t as ferocious as the one described above in regards to on-track bumps, were it not for some miraculous comebacks from Sebastian Vettel and the Red Bull team, Fernando Alonso would have comfortably claimed the 2010 and 2012 world titles – despite driving what many felt was the inferior car. Much of Alonso’s frustration seemed to stem from his apparent inability to better Vettel over a season, and probably a sense of sheer bafflement about how someone actually managed to beat him.

Michael Schumacher v Mika Häkkinen: 1997-2001

The rivalry between two of F1’s coolest customers rarely reached boiling point, despite the on-track intensity the pair created when battling for the titles. In four breathtaking seasons, Häkkinen coolly clinched back-to-back championships in 1998 and 1999, before Schumacher duly did the same, winning in 2000 and 2001.

Ayrton Senna v Alain Prost: 1988-1993

If this classic rivalry were a curry, it’s safe to say it’d be a Vindaloo with a liberal sprinkling of extra-hot chilli peppers. The ferocity of their 1988 and 1989 title fights was evident on and off the track, with both drivers publicly bad-mouthing one another at every opportunity and colliding on countless occasions. Miraculously, they made amends in the lead-up to Prost’s retirement in 1993, and the Frenchman was even a pallbearer at Senna’s funeral just one year later.

Nelson Piquet v Nigel Mansell: 1986-1987

Pairing a fiery, fiercely talented Brazilian with a stubborn, equally skilful Brit didn’t quite go as well as team principal Frank Williams had planned. Piquet, angered by Mansell’s inability to accept his “number two” status, frequently bad-mouthed both Mansell and members of Mansell’s family in the press, making an already tense sporting rivalry unsavourily personal.

James Hunt v Nicki Lauda: 1976-77

From the first time the two lined up alongside one another on the grid, Nicki Lauda’s unquestionable professionalism clashed with James Hunt’s unquestionable lack of professionalism. Their historic 1976-championship battle (which Hunt won by one point) is the standout memory, especially given Lauda’s remarkable recovery from a crash that left him with burns all over his body, and even in his lungs.

Stirling Moss v Juan Manuel Fangio: 1955-1957

Arguably the greatest driver never to win a world title, Stirling Moss’s inability to clinch a championship was, quite simply, down to Juan Manuel Fangio’s innate ability to drive exceptionally fast, with Moss coming second to Fangio for three of the Argentinian’s then record-setting five championship wins.

FORMULA ONE PIRELLI 2018 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX, Sunday 21 October, 6pm, Channel 4/HD (CH 104/141) + 6.10pm, Sky Sports F1^®/HD (CH 516/506)

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