Since the pre-season training, the duel is announced very balanced between the dominant team Mercedes Y Red Bull, which appears to have regained its technological backwardness. The forecasts are already confirmed in the first Bahrain Grand Prix at the end of March, with Verstappen having to give the victory to Hamilton after having overtaken him outside the limits of the track. Disappointed, the Dutchman responds in the following race, in Imola, where under heavy rain “Mad Max” does not hesitate to go out on the grass to reach the height of the Briton in the first corner. In the chicane he overtakes him and nothing can stop him.
In race 10, Hamilton hits the ropes at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, 32 points behind Verstappen. Better in practice, the Briton gave up pole position in the first sprint race of the season. The two launch into a high-voltage first lap. After several attempts, Hamilton tries again to overtake at Turn 9: he races to the outside and “Sir Lewis” drives the car inside the corner he knows so well. Verstappen does not give in and after touching his rival he ends up on the protection wall. Safe and sound he assists Hamilton’s victory from the hospital despite a 10-second penalty. The Briton gets back into the fight for the title and the rivalry between the two, until then civilized, reaches a new dimension.
It was not the most exciting race, but there was a real popular party in the stands, a sign of the fervor that Verstappen awakens in his country. At the first Dutch Grand Prix since 1985, the famous “Orange Army” invades the stands, with a capacity of 70,000 spectators. Already very numerous in Austria, Hungary and Belgium, Dutch fans this time do not need to ride for hours in camping cars to see their national idol. Against his own, Max complies with pole and a victory that allows him to regain the leadership of the World Championship, with three points of advantage over Hamilton after 13 races of 22 planned.
From the first lap the tension was chewed with a minor crash without consequences, after which Hamilton left Verstappen second behind Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren). But in the middle of the Italian Grand Prix, at Monza, events broke out. The Briton came out of a pit stop just before the Dutchman. At the end of the straight, both drivers entered the chicane evenly. Closed by Hamilton, Verstappen got on the vibrators, lost control of his car and literally saw how he flew over his opponent’s. well protected by the halo of his Mercedes. The two finished off the track and had to leave, without injuries despite the spectacular nature of the accident. The image will remain as the symbol of this inexorable struggle.
As was the case at Silverstone earlier in the season, Hamilton came to Brazil on the ropes, 19 points behind. However, far from the KO, he came out of that complicated situation with flying colors. After starting in tenth place after two penalties, and acclaimed by the São Paulo public, the heir to Ayrton Senna climbed to second place on lap 19 of 71. In 48th, attacked by the outside of turn 4, Verstappen was defend and lead his opponent, and himself, off the track for a few moments. The Dutchman was not penalized, Hamilton charged again and passed it on lap 59 on his third attempt. After this demonstration, “King Lewis” repeated in Qatar to fuel hopes for a record eighth title.
From qualifying in Saudi Arabia, on the tight new circuit, between the safety walls, Verstappen goes to a wall, at the last corner. His perfect lap does not occur. He will start third. The Briton, on pole, flies into a quiet race when Mick Schumacher’s accident interrupts the race. At the new start, it is Verstappen who is in the race as he has not stopped in the pits. Hamilton overtakes him, but the Dutchman manages to regain command. In the peloton, two accidents cause a new interruption. Sanctioned for his previous maneuver, Verstappen was third behind Hamilton and Esteban Ocon. At the first corner, “Mad Max” tries and achieves a high-risk overtaking. On lap 37, the Mercedes driver attacks, but his rival maintains his position by pushing the limits. Verstappen is forced to give up his place: he slows down, but his rival, surprised, touches him. The two of you can continue. Hamilton finally doubles Verstappen for the best lap bonus point. In the World Cup standings, both are tied before the final battle.
Source From: Ambito
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