Before the last Grand Prix of the Formula 1 season begins tomorrow in Abu Dhabi (2 p.m. live on ORF 2), the tension seems to be palpable. This is not only due to the fact that two drivers, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, are tied at the top after 21 races, but also because of the rivalry that has built up between the Dutch Red Bull driver and his British counterpart at Mercedes this year. A rivalry that left the limits of the sporting competition behind it this year. The climate is now hostile, like Max ?? Father Jos Verstappen illustrates: “Max and Lewis only talk to each other on the podium, very little,” said the former Formula 1 driver. His son gets along well with other pilots, just not with Hamilton. This lives “in his own world”, so Jos, who added: “I respect Hamilton as a driver, but the rest … no.”
Alpha male
It is the rising of the aging alpha male who defends his title against the emerging youngster, which motorsport fans have seen in 21 files so far this year. An argument that had already started in previous years, but has picked up speed this season. How the initially sporting rivalry turned more and more into enmity, it always emerged openly when it crashed between the two.
Silverstone: On the first lap, sprint qualifying winner Verstappen flew off the track at almost 300 kilometers per hour after touching Hamilton’s front wheel. The local hero then cheered his home win euphorically. That was disrespectful, criticized Verstappen, because he was being examined at the same time in the hospital for any consequences of the accident. “That’s not how you celebrate a victory like that,” said the 24-year-old. And further: “That shows how they really are.” Hamilton fought not to have known anything about the hospital stay.
Monza: After Hamilton’s pit stop, the two got in each other’s way in the first chicane – neither gave in. Result: Verstappen’s Red Bull landed on the Mercedes. The rear wheel even touched Hamilton’s helmet. Experts assumed that the world champion would have suffered life-threatening injuries without the protective bar called Halo, which is often criticized as ugly. Regardless of the question of fault, Verstappen received criticism for not asking about Hamilton’s welfare immediately after the crash, but simply walking away. “Lewis is fine,” replied the Red Bull driver. How did he notice that? “He tried to reverse.” Hamilton denounced Verstappen’s carelessness: “He knew exactly what was going to happen.”
Jeddah: At the Saudi Arabia premiere, Verstappen shortened illegally in a Hamilton attack. When the Dutchman had to let Hamilton by as a punishment, he braked so abruptly that he provoked a slight rear-end collision. “He has surely exceeded limits,” said Hamilton, who won despite the battered front wing. Insulted, Verstappen skipped the mandatory winning photo and declared that he had done nothing wrong.
So the mood is charged. Before the season finale, the race management therefore once again pointed out that unfair maneuvers could be punished with deductions of points. If neither of them cross the finish line tomorrow, Verstappen could celebrate his first title thanks to more victories of the season (9). (pue)
Source: Nachrichten
