The Hamilton-Verstappen duel “has everything of a titanic battle” according to Brawn

Only two events in the 2021 season Formula 1 were disputed, but the duel takes shape between Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) for sports leadership.

Winner each of a Grand Prix, the Briton in Bahrain, the Dutchman at Imola (Italy) three weeks later, the duo excited F1 followers as well as the technical and sporting director of the discipline, Ross Brawn.

The art of licking the stamp, and sending it

Featuring @Max33Verstappen and @redbullracing #ImolaGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/xUSq8AXqQh

- Formula 1 (@ F1) April 19, 2021

“It's going to be a fight in this tough championship and that's fantastic for Formula 1. With Hamilton and Verstappen you have two drivers at very different stages of their careers, fighting with cars of similar performance », He explains.

The seven-time world champion and the young challenger could continue to lead a long-term season (23 Grands Prix), especially since the teams are not going to linger on the development of the current single-seaters...

“This duel has all the hallmarks of a titanic battle, not least because I don't think the teams will be able to devote many resources to this year's car with the 2022 car in the works, continues Ross Brawn.

The living embodiment of never giving up @LewisHamilton's moves from P4 to P2 as he chased down a spot on the podium #ImolaGP #F1 @MercedesAMGF1 pic.twitter.com/z49VIhRInh

- Formula 1 (@ F1) April 19, 2021

There is so much emphasis on 2022, because the regulations will change so drastically, that I think what we see now is what we will get all season. This could be a golden year! » Looking forward to the sequel, planned for Portimao (Portugal, May 1-2).

Find in AUTO issue 2308hebdo, on sale digitally and on newsstands on Wednesday, analysis of F1 at Imola by our F1 journalists.