The best drivers in Formula 1 today will clash again on Sunday at a twisty, tight track with only one big straightaway at the start. It could turn out to be one of the most interesting battles that Formula 1 has seen in years.
Lewis Hamilton had dominated the last few seasons of Formula 1 like no other driver in the sport’s history. Apart from 2016, when then-Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg challenged Hamilton for the world title and won, Hamilton has had very little resistance from any other team or driver. But like what Michael Schumacher felt in 2006 when Fernando Alonso became the new challenger for the seven-time world champion, Max Verstappen’s challenge is now Lewis Hamilton’s reality.
The Dutchman didn’t come out of anywhere. He came through the junior Toro Rosso program (now Alpha Tauri) and, there, had such teammates as Daniel Ricciardo and Pierre Gasly. Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, viewed Verstappen as a possible talent for the senior team. And he was spot on.
When Verstappen and Hamilton collided two weeks ago at Silverstone in the British GP, that incident reminded many analysts of when Hamilton and Rosberg collided at the Spanish Grand Prix in 2016–knocking both drivers out. The difference was that the duo this year are rivals, not teammates.
In the eyes of Horner and the Red Bull organization, the mishap was caused by Hamilton’s dirty driving. Coming into what is known as Copse Corner, Verstappen turned into Hamilton, possibly thinking that the Briton would back off and get behind him. But Hamilton, probably psyched up knowing that he was behind in the world championship and had to perform well on his home track, did not relent and put his front left tire onto Verstappen’s right rear, striking the Dutchman’s car. The high-speed crash was recorded as 51 G’s, and that was enough to send the crowd jumping and running for cover, with dust and debris swamping the affected area.
Verstappen emerged from the wreck, stunned and confused.
Hamilton eventually passed Charles Leclerc, the leader at the time, to win and remain in contention for the world championship. After the race, Hamilton realized that he either made an error or that Verstappen was simply a victim of bad luck. Of course, Red Bull favored the former explanation, protested, and claimed that Hamilton should be banned for one race–a penalty that was not levied.
What’s more, Verstappen’s car suffered extensive damage–$1.8 million worth–such that Red Bull decided to reconstruct another chassis for this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
That’s when these two drivers will clash again—this time not at a high-speed circuit, but at a twisty, tight track with only one big straightaway at the start. It will be a fight to the finish in what could turn out to be one of the most interesting battles that Formula 1 has seen in years.
Hold on to your seats!
