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Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 24, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the race with second place Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Reuters
Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 24, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the race with second place Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Formula 1 often has the habit of being stalled with one driver running away with championship titles over a long period of time before a new-age driver dethrones them. And following Michael Schumacher’s reign at Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton rose up to be the high-flyer of F1.
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7 years of sheer dominance, with Nico Rosberg being the only driver to briefly halt the Briton’s title spree. But, the moment Rosberg bowed out of F1, Hamilton’s hunt for titles resumed. And, now there is a ray of hope emerging out of Max Verstappen.
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Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in action during the race REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
The Dutchman has been in a top-tier form since midway through the 2020 season, and here he stands, as the leading contender for the 2021 world championship title. So, who is ultimately going to snatch the title? Well, former F1 driver, Felipe Massa, is rooting for the flying Dutchman.
The 2008 season runner-up opined that F1 desperately needs a new world champion amidst Hamilton’s persistent dominance.
My support goes to Max Verstappen: Ex-Lewis Hamilton rival
In an exclusive interview with AS.com, Massa felt that Verstappen must win this year’s world championship despite Hamilton’s driving skills still being as good as ever.
“My favorite is Verstappen. It is important that a new driver wins. I don’t like that the same driver always wins. Hamilton deserves it and he’s an incredible driver, with all the records, but my support goes to Verstappen. It is first. It depends on his job now at the end of the championship, but he has a great opportunity,” he said.
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Felipe Massa, Grand Prix of Singapore, Marina Bay Street Circuit. (Photo by Paul-Henri Cahier/Getty Images)
Massa further opined that Verstappen has handled the ever-growing pressure like a champion from the start of 2021. “Pressure is part of Formula 1. You always have pressure. The former has it and the latter has it too. I think Verstappen is a driver who handles pressure well,” Massa concluded.
For the first time in years, Hamilton is starting to feel a bit of pressure, and Verstappen’s consistency has done no good for the Briton so far. If only, it has only dragged Hamilton further down the path of worry.
Hence, amidst the ever-growing support, can Verstappen manage to secure what could be his first F1 title against an immensely experienced Hamilton?
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