Verstappen falls into Hamilton's trap: 'You still have some things to learn'

F1 News

30 March 2021 at 11:22
Last update 30 March 2021 at 11:28
  • GPblog.com

The Bahrain Grand Prix was an exciting opening to the Formula 1 season with a duel between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen as the highlight. Hamilton came out on top, and Verstappen will look back on that for a while.

Verstappen falls into the trap

Verstappen started from pole in Sakhir, but an undercut by Mercedes caused Verstappen to lose his lead. It was down to the last few laps on fresher tyres to catch Lewis again, but after one unsuccessful move that saw Verstappen finish off-track and have to give his place back, the Dutchman failed to get past Hamilton.

''It was really one of those defining moments in history that we will think back on for years to come. It was a bit reminiscent of the rise of Michael Schumacher. You have the emerging talent in Max Verstappen and he's up against the arrived Sir Lewis Hamilton who is going up for his eighth world title,'' said Damon Hill in the F1 Nation Podcast.

Hamilton has more experience

''Max will look back on this race and think about what he could have done better. Hamilton tricked him into it. Lewis knew exactly what to do. He made the outside attractive, then used the whole track, pushing Max out. As a result Max had to give that spot back and perhaps did so too early. Lewis will still think 'Gotcha', 'you still have some things to learn'", said the 1996 world champion.

He is joined in this by Tom Clarkson. ''They knew before that attack exactly what the Track Limits were like. Everyone says Verstappen went outside the track, but it was Lewis who pushed him outside. That was Lewis' intention. Here you saw the difference in experience and that was the deciding factor for the win'', concluded the presenter.