F1 Fans Fuming With Max Verstappen’s Actions Towards Lewis Hamilton During AUS GP Qualifying

This weekend sees the newest season of Formula 1 begin in Melbourne, Australia. The highly anticipated curtain-raiser of the new season saw a long-awaited return to Albert Park after six years, with the season opener being held at the Bahrain International Circuit following the COVID-19 pandemic. Anticipation for Sunday’s race is building and this morning’s qualifying brought with it several twists and turns.

One particular moment which has split opinion among racing fans is the actions of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen towards Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. There is history between Verstappen and Hamilton, with the two long-term rivals having several intense battles over the years. Hamilton has been critical of his rival’s driving style in the past and has even claimed that his long-term rival is dangerous.

Famously in 2021, the two’s rivalry hit boiling point as they clashed following Hamilton’s claims that he was brake-tested by Verstappen at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Outraged by the incident, the Brit went on a rant following the race, criticising his opponent’s driving style, saying: “I’ve raced a lot of drivers in my life, in the 28 years. There’s a few at the top which are over the limit. Rules kinda don’t apply, or they don’t think of the rules. He’s over the limit, for sure. I’ve avoided collisions on so many occasions with the guy.”

During qualifying in the early hours of this morning, fans were quick to notice some controversial driving from Verstappen, which has sparked debate on social media platform X. In a video posted to the platform, it appears that the Red Bull man performed a controversial manoeuvre between turns five and six, as he blocked Hamilton from overtaking.

The incident has split opinions and sparked debate about the Dutchman’s driving technique. “Look what he does from turn 5-6. He goes right to let him past but then turns left again all of a sudden. Clearly on purpose. What a filthy rat man. I hate this guy with a passion,” one fan said. “Straight-up scumbag move. He knew exactly what he was doing. That wasn’t racing, that was straight-up dirty play,” another added, while some were defending the move, saying: “What was the problem here? Max took the racing line and when it was safe to let him pass, he did, LH was never gunna go round him on the outside of the right turn stop.”

Lewis Hamilton Struggles During Australian GP Qualifying

The new Ferrari man could only finish 8th for Sunday’s race

Away from this incident, it was a disappointing day overall for seven-time world champion Hamilton. He finished in eighth place on his Ferrari debut and revealed that, although he was surprised by a lack of pace, he enjoyed his first qualifying with his new team. He told Sky Sports F1: “I had a really good time out there today. Everything has been a first this weekend. My first practice sessions with Ferrari, my first qualifying. It’s been a lot of work to really adapt. This car is so much different here to what I’ve experienced in the past. But it’s been interesting. I definitely didn’t know that we’d be eight-tenths off today, but there is a lot to dissect for sure.”

Additionally, Verstappen missed out on a front-row start as he came third, behind McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who secured a one-two on the front row. The Grand Prix gets underway tomorrow, Sunday 16th of March, at 4am GMT.

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