Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, battles with Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B

How Verstappen and Hamilton’s Imola clash sets the tone for 2021

In Max Verstappen's Formula 1 career to date, he has been cast as the 'pretender', an acknowledged top-line performer without the car to regularly challenge Lewis Hamilton. But that no longer applies in 2021, and the start to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was the most telling signal yet of what we can expect from their duel this year

There was plenty for Formula 1 fans to enjoy in last weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

The absent Tifosi willing on Charles Leclerc as he delivered a near faultless weekend. British motorsport fans enjoying Lando Norris and George Russell impressing yet again, with surely all fans erupting in relief when the latter and Valtteri Bottas were able to climb out of the wreckage of their enormous accident and engage in further theatrics in the gravel trap.

There was much for the various partisan fanbases to cheer and jeer – but for the neutral there was surely no better moment than Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton going wheel-to-wheel once again for the lead, this time clashing.

Related video

Previous article How Mercedes has turned the corner on its knife-edge W12
Next article Williams: Imola display proves there will be more ‘opportunities’

More from Alex Kalinauckas

Is F1 blowing its "pivotal moment" to support the championship's women?

Is F1 blowing its "pivotal moment" to support the championship's women?

F1 Formula 1
Is F1 blowing its "pivotal moment" to support the championship's women? Is F1 blowing its "pivotal moment" to support the championship's women?
How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call

How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call

Prime
Prime
F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call
The rare Ferrari problem that made its Saudi GP harder against Red Bull's might

The rare Ferrari problem that made its Saudi GP harder against Red Bull's might

Prime
Prime
F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
The rare Ferrari problem that made its Saudi GP harder against Red Bull's might The rare Ferrari problem that made its Saudi GP harder against Red Bull's might
Ranked: The 10 F1 teams at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP

Ranked: The 10 F1 teams at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Ranked: The 10 F1 teams at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP Ranked: The 10 F1 teams at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen cruises to victory ahead of Perez, Leclerc

F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen cruises to victory ahead of Perez, Leclerc

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen cruises to victory ahead of Perez, Leclerc F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen cruises to victory ahead of Perez, Leclerc
Why Saudi Arabian GP could deliver one of F1’s most "unpleasant" races

Why Saudi Arabian GP could deliver one of F1’s most "unpleasant" races

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Why Saudi Arabian GP could deliver one of F1’s most "unpleasant" races Why Saudi Arabian GP could deliver one of F1’s most "unpleasant" races
Verstappen hopes "impressive" F1 debutant Bearman doesn't fixate on missing Q3

Verstappen hopes "impressive" F1 debutant Bearman doesn't fixate on missing Q3

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Verstappen hopes "impressive" F1 debutant Bearman doesn't fixate on missing Q3 Verstappen hopes "impressive" F1 debutant Bearman doesn't fixate on missing Q3
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen grabs pole by 0.3s from Leclerc

F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen grabs pole by 0.3s from Leclerc

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen grabs pole by 0.3s from Leclerc F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen grabs pole by 0.3s from Leclerc

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia