WATCH: Fans Go Crazy as Max Verstappen Makes Race-Winning Overtake on Lewis Hamilton

At the 2021 French Grand Prix, Max Verstappen managed to best Lewis Hamilton and win the race. On an interesting note, footage revealed that trackside fans were ecstatic when they saw the Red Bull muscle past. As the two race leaders went past the stands, spectators were on their feet and cheering.

Truthfully speaking, this is definitely not a slight against Hamilton. However, people are clearly happy that the Briton finally has a real rival to speak of. Hamilton has faced off against many, like Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg. While Rosberg came the closest, he retired at the end of the 2016 season.

Since then, Hamilton went largely unchallenged, while Red Bull were not as strong. This year, the Austrian team have a really good package and have emerged as real threats to the championship. For the first time in the last few years, Red Bull took over the championship lead and are still keeping it away from their Mercedes rivals.

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Will 2021 be the year that Max Verstappen defeats Lewis Hamilton?

Theoretically, he can definitely do it, especially given the fine form that he is in. This weekend, the Dutchman heads to Austria for the Styrian Grand Prix.

The Red Bull Ring is his team’s home turf so they will be the favorites to win at the high-speed track. However, Mercedes will want to bounce back and wrest the championship lead back.

The same applies to Lewis Hamilton, who is feeling threatened for the first time in his career. At the same time, Mercedes are also under threat, especially since both Red Bull drivers are competent and consistent.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton has often been left to fly the Mercedes flag alone. Poor old Valtteri Bottas has often been left behind and struggles to keep up with his teammate.

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