Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen: Bahrain GP battle lights title ‘special’ spark for 2021 season



[ad_1]

Sky Sports F1’s Anthony Davidson and Paul Di Resta Comment on Envisaged Championship Battle Between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen Following Bahrain GP Drama; Hamilton says he’s ‘super excited’ for more duels with Max

Last Updated: 03/29/21 12:45 pm


Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen could be ready for the title battle that Formula 1 has “longed for” in 2021 after their thrilling head-to-head duel for victory at the season-opening Bahrain GP, ​​says the Sky Sports F1 experts.

A throbbing Sunday race boiled down to a head-on brawl between F1 leaders (a seven-time champion vs. a rising superstar) and led to an epic wheel-to-wheel conclusion, with a hint of controversy, under the lights.

While Hamilton emerged victorious after Verstappen’s dramatic but illegal overtaking, Bahrain has sparked an excellent 2021 season as the Red Bull driver finally appears to have the car to give him a chance to battle Hamilton for his first qualification. challenge.

This could be a season and a battle to remember.

“Now we have that competition that we always yearn for,” he said. Anthony Davidson of Sky F1. “This is something special for all the fans.

2:22
Sky F1’s Anthony Davidson pays tribute to Lewis Hamilton’s victory in the second fastest car and talks about the key moment of the race with Max Verstappen

Sky F1’s Anthony Davidson pays tribute to Lewis Hamilton’s victory in the second fastest car and talks about the key moment of the race with Max Verstappen

“We have to really enjoy these moments, these upcoming Grand Prix, because when you have two protagonists like we had in Bahrain, and it only takes two, then we have fantastic races.

“He was yelling at the television like everyone else. Regardless of who his favorite driver is, I think we all have to agree that these are two supreme athletes at the top of their game and that they continue for a long time.”

Get Sky Sports F1 for just an extra £ 18 a month

Don’t waste a second. Watch every race live, only on Sky Sports F1.

The final laps may not have been like Verstappen’s at Sakhir, but the 23-year-old had been the dominant driver over the weekend until then.

3:36
Sky F1’s Karun Chandhok discusses the dramatic duel between Sir Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in the final stages of the Bahrain Grand Prix

Sky F1’s Karun Chandhok discusses the dramatic duel between Sir Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in the final stages of the Bahrain Grand Prix

“I think he’s capable of putting it behind me, I think mentally that’s where he’s so good,” he said. Paul Di Resta from Sky F1.

“He has a nose that he can win this championship and I think that’s the most exciting thing about this year – it’s him against Lewis and they will go knuckle to knuckle.”

Verstappen on the hunt? Hamilton ‘super excited’ for more

Whether Verstappen can truly mount a sustained title challenge will depend on whether Red Bull has a challenging car at most, if not all, of the remaining 22 circuits in a record 2021 schedule.

But there will be optimism in the Red Bull camp after going live in Bahrain.

“What a year we have ahead of us,” Di Resta insisted. “Because I don’t think, on paper, this is a Red Bull track, I think it’s a Mercedes track.”

Davidson agreed: “At some point, you will see the natural ebb and flow, there will be races this year where Red Bull will just go to victory. We will see those races. But hopefully we will have more than what we saw in Bahrain.” .

1:18
Paul di Resta and Jenson Button reflect on an incredible battle between Sir Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in Bahrain

Paul di Resta and Jenson Button reflect on an incredible battle between Sir Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in Bahrain

Meanwhile, Hamilton, excited to salvage a victory, says he wants more duels with his young rival.

“I’m super excited and super happy for the fans, who are excited,” said the Englishman. “I think it’s something that all the fans have wanted for a long time.

“Of course this is just one race so we don’t know what the future holds in terms of … with the pace they have they could be a lot further ahead, but we are going to work as hard as we can to try. to stay close in this battle and I look forward to many more of these kinds of races with Max and Valtteri [Bottas, Mercedes team-mate].

1:58
Sir Lewis Hamilton says he enjoyed his battle with Max Verstappen and predicts that there will be many more throughout the season.

Sir Lewis Hamilton says he enjoyed his battle with Max Verstappen and predicts that there will be many more throughout the season.

“There’s a long way to go, 22 … shit! I’ll be gray by the end of this!”

Verstappen added: “Of course I’m disappointed, but it’s a long season in a way. We will have 22 more chances to do better.”

Go ahead.



[ad_2]