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Brundle: This year's championship is every bit as dramatic as the Senna and Prost days

The former Formula 1 pundit thinks the battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen is just as exciting as the rivalry between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.

Formula 1 pundit Martin Brundle believes the drama and excitement of the days of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost are being repeated this year with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. The championship protagonists came to blows during the opening lap of the British Grand Prix which Brundle was disappointed by because he wanted to see the pair fight over 52 laps of Silverstone. He also feels that, with hindsight, Verstappen should have thought about the title race as his lead of 33 points was reduced to just eight points following Hamilton's win. "Max was not at fault although for his own race and championship campaign he could have left a little more space on the inside given Hamilton was bound to be compromised on that line, and perhaps have been less convinced that Lewis would yield," Brundle wrote in his post-race Sky Sports F1 column. "But that's with calm hindsight. With a 33-point championship lead and the fastest car he possibly took too many risks after that tardy start, but that's why he's a championship contender. "Even after we knew Max was ok my heart was still heavy because I was so looking forward to those two drivers slugging it out for 52 laps. We have an amazing championship on our hands which is every bit as dramatic and powerful as the Senna/Prost days, along with others." Following the collision, Jonathan Wheatley and Christian Horner of Red Bull as well as Ron Meadows and Toto Wolff of Mercedes shared their differing views to F1 race director Michael Masi. Brundle is unsure about whether the teams should be able to speak to Masi about incidents during the race. "It was a little uncomfortable hearing the Red Bull and Mercedes team managers and team principals endeavouring to influence the situation by lobbying the race director," said Brundle. "But that seems to be the communication system in place, and which we are broadcasting for first time this season. Michael Masi, the race director, quite rightly pointed them towards the stewards, and I can imagine a future revision on this process."

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