A few days after refusing to star in one of the episodes of Drive to Survive, the Netflix series that has relaunched the popularity of Formula 1, by sensationalism, Max Verstappen validated the interest of the content platform by becoming entangled in a scuffle with Lewis Hamilton that will add even more tension to the already heated pulse they maintain for the title. This Friday, barely ten minutes had elapsed into the second free practice session in Austin, when the Mercedes driver slipped through the inside of the last corner of the track to the Red Bull, who had no choice but to go outside.
Hamilton’s entry was aggressive, as was his opponent’s desire not to give way. Both cars faced the main straight of the Texas track and reached the highest point of the circuit, where the reigning champion made the first turn ahead. “Ha! You stupid idiot! ”Verstappen blurted out over the radio, while letting his right hand go from the wheel to assess his rival’s maneuvering, dedicating a comb to him. It matters little that Hamilton finished training in third place and Verstappen finished in eighth. The timed session this Saturday will be something else because there begins to decide the fate that each one will run the next day.
A TREMENDOUS onboard! 🔥
✅ Verstappen passes Hamilton mid-lap
✅ Hamilton saves it and throws himself into the last corner when he sees Verstappen decelerate
✅ Verstappen on the outside
✅ The two wheel to wheel on the straight
✅ None give in
✅ And final comb!# USADAZNF1 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ceya5uQYxf– DAZN Spain (@DAZN_ES) October 22, 2021
The close competition between the two runners has risen in voltage as the calendar has been discounting tests and the margin between them in the points table has diminished. With this Sunday (9pm, Movistar F1 and Dazn) in the United States there are six great prizes to be contested, the same points that separate Hamilton from Verstappen, the leader. If we take into account that Mercedes has passed the roller in the last seven seasons without anyone being able to even get close, it is normal that the level of excitement of the red buffalo troop is soaring. But the atmosphere begins to be charged with a tension that is not limited only to what happens within the margins of the asphalt, which is a lot. The difference between the two main actors in this film and the rest is so abysmal that it makes them meet day in and day out as well. It happened in Silverstone, where Verstappen ended up crashing against the protections, and also in Monza, where he did it on top of his opponent’s car.
Before, in Imola, as soon as the timed session was over, the two met in the corralito where the interviews were carried out. As they crossed, their shoulders collided, in a gesture that gave rise to all kinds of interpretations. Even Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, used that gesture as an example of the intensity with which they were both emptying themselves. “I don’t know how things will go, but if I take into account the shoulder bump that occurred, I think something can be expected to happen this year,” agreed the ex-driver and mentor of the Hasselt boy, in April. “Neither of them wants the other to beat them. If the fight for the crown tightens more and more, I have the feeling that it will be an interesting year ”, predicted Jos then, in a kind of preview of what was to come, and probably of what will come until the course lower the curtain, in Abu Dhabi, 13 days to Christmas.
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