The 10 Best On-Track Formula 1 Battles Of The Last Five Years

Over the last five years, we’ve seen Red Bull domination in the V8 era evolve into V6 Turbo power with Mercedes in command. But that doesn’t mean we haven’t seen some awesome battles and on-track scraps
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There’s no doubt about it - this battle for victory is what we want to see every race and was a real treat. It went on for lap after lap, lasting most of the race. Lewis Hamilton eventually won but Nico Rosberg put up a good fight and it was great to see the two Mercs going wheel-to-wheel.

Two great drivers going into one of the scariest corners in motorsport, flat out and side-by-side. It can only be Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen. What was the Iceman’s reaction? Probably something like, “bwoah”.

I was actually in the grandstand for this one and everyone was on their feet as two world champions battled so closely at the 2014 British Grand Prix. And all for fifth place as well. It was really exciting stuff!

Max Verstappen has been a breath of fresh air since he entered F1 in 2015 and this year we’ve seen some great battles involving the Dutch youngster, including this one as he tried (but, unsurprisingly, failed) to hold off the Mercedes of Rosberg.

Daniel Ricciardo had spent SO long behind Valtteri Bottas, he can probably draw a picture of the rear end of the Williams with his eyes closed. But he couldn’t get close enough to make a pass. That is until he made a late and hugely optimistic dive up the inside into Turn 1 and incredibly made it stick.

This overtaking move is pretty underrated. Sure, Alonso’s getting a double slipstream but passing two cars at once while they’re concentrating on each other is no easy thing to do. Plus, conditions were slippery and the first corner at Interlagos is notoriously bumpy and a big braking zone, so it’s pretty tricky.

With Verstappen at the wheel, Felipe Nasr had little hope of holding back the Toro Rosso at Spa in 2015. But the way Max overtook the Sauber was quite special – around the outside at Blanchimont. Hugely committed, extremely gutsy and just what we want to see.

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Perhaps Schumacher and Raikkonen were inspired by this awesome battle between Alonso and Mark Webber in 2011 at the famous Eau Rouge. That’s the definition of the word ‘brave’.

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There are few things that seem to scare F1 drivers but I’m sure both Alonso and (more so, Vettel) needed a fresh pair of overalls after their very close fight at the 2011 Italian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver even found himself on the grass at one point.

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Sure, this one’s a pretty short battle, but few scraps last longer than a few corners due to the tight confines of Monaco. Overtaking there is a true art form and Nico Hulkenberg got it spot on with a perfectly timed and opportunistic pass on Kevin Magnussen. Top marks!

What are your favourite battles? Let me know in the comments below!

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Comments

Nissan 420sx

Bwoah is in every post with Raikkonen xD

09/25/2016 - 08:20 |
58 | 0

Bwoah

09/25/2016 - 09:04 |
30 | 0

Bwoahdy Bwoah

09/25/2016 - 09:19 |
8 | 0

Bwoah everyday.

09/25/2016 - 10:08 |
6 | 0
09/25/2016 - 10:45 |
24 | 0
DL🏁

I hate it when they overlay stupid music
These are not your football videos

09/25/2016 - 08:30 |
14 | 0

Probably to try and avoid them getting taken down but it does ruin them

09/25/2016 - 09:04 |
8 | 0
Anonymous

Me:when malonaldo crashed

09/25/2016 - 09:51 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

Where is the battle between Kvyat and Verstappen from the last race?

09/25/2016 - 09:53 |
4 | 0
The 10 Best On-Track Formula 1 Battles Of The Last Five Years
Karthik Bhat

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

That was pretty decent, wasn’t it?
That incredible bravery to put your right foot down knowing there’s a superior car behind you and not letting him pass, I just gained some respect for Kvyat

09/26/2016 - 01:39 |
4 | 0
Freddie Skeates

Alonso-vettel battles are the best

09/25/2016 - 09:58 |
0 | 0
Pedro Zanon

Kyviat vs Vestarppen at Singapore 2016

09/25/2016 - 14:13 |
0 | 0
Fran Jelić

alonso-vettel 2014 British GP
one of my favorites

09/25/2016 - 14:33 |
0 | 0
earl1233

Where’s number 3?

09/25/2016 - 19:45 |
0 | 0
that Aston guy (miata squad) (aston squad)

What about lizard vs race

09/25/2016 - 20:01 |
2 | 0

Godzilla you mean

09/26/2016 - 01:39 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Race marshal vs lizard in Singapore

09/26/2016 - 00:54 |
0 | 0