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“He’s drifting very nicely”- When Max Verstappen mocked rival Lewis Hamilton for lack of grip

Somin Bhattacharjee
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"He's drifting very nicely"- When Max Verstappen mocked rival Lewis Hamilton for lack of grip

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton shared an intense rivalry throughout the 2021 season, but the mind games between them started way before.

2020’s Bahrain GP took place in the month of November, because of the rescheduling of the calendar due to Covid. The season was already wrapped up, with Hamilton winning his seventh World Title and Mercedes victorious in the Constructors’ Championship yet again.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was the best non-Mercedes driver on the grid that year in terms of performances. Prior to the Bahrain GP, he won just one race that year in Silverstone.

During FP2 in Sakhir, Verstappen made a very sarcastic comment on Hamilton’s driving. The seven-time World Champion was struggling with grip, and was drifting across the track on the turns.

Verstappen took to the team radio to jokingly ask, “Who’s that in front of him? He’s drifting very nicely.” His race engineer replied saying it’s Hamilton but it’s evident that the Dutchman already knew who that was.

Hamilton was really struggling for traction in Bahrain that evening, and repeatedly told his team that he couldn’t manage to find grip.

Also read: “Fernando Alonso is like Max Verstappen” – Former world champion says he is still impressed by the 40-year-old

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton going through contrasting F1 season

2021 saw Verstappen and Hamilton fight toe to toe for the Title. It was so close that they couldn’t be separated until the final lap of the final race of the year. The Title ended up in Verstappen’s hand, but it was a battle for the ages.

This campaign however, has been very different. The regulation changes have hit Hamilton and Mercedes hard. And after eight years of dominance, they no longer have the fastest car on the grid. Mercedes’ W13 is also struggling massively with porpoising which has taken a toll on results and also Hamilton’s physical well-being.

Verstappen on the other hand, picked up right where he left off. After reliability scares in the early stages of the season, the 24-year old has turned the season around and now leads Charles Leclerc by 49 points.

The next round of this year’s Championship takes place at the iconic Silverstone circuit. Last year’s British GP saw the race marred by controversy when Verstappen suffered a 51G impact after making contact with his rival.

Also read: Former F1 boss believes Toto Wolff is angry with Lewis Hamilton and doubts his back injuries

About the author

Somin Bhattacharjee

Somin Bhattacharjee

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Formula 1 Editor Somin Bhattacharjee fell for the sport as well as Fernando Alonso on the same day — during the Spaniard’s thrilling victory at the German GP in 2010. Over the years, the passion magnified manyfold, and metamorphosed into a writing career in 2021. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. He has penned over 2,700 articles for TheSportsRush, presenting a diverse range — news reports, opinions, and exclusives. A true Tiffosi, Somin never gives up on a chance to defend the Ferrari boys as a fan. As a sports writer though, he remains objective to the core and relishes opportunities to follow and engage in dissecting the action during races. That’s where the real thrill lies for him. Beyond the racetrack, Somin plays different sports including soccer. He enjoys exploring other sporting events and proudly supports Spanish soccer club Real Madrid.

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