Hamilton suggests Verstappen should've been more patient in Bahrain duel

Lewis Hamilton, who won the first Grand Prix of 2021 in Bahrain on Sunday afternoon, explained the much-discussed overtaking manoeuvre by Verstappen in turn four in a conversation with Ziggo Sport. 

"Turn 4 was really decisive. The fact is, I don’t think he really needed to attack me then. He had fresher tyres, he could be patient," Hamilton said in an interview with Ziggo Sport.

Hamilton continues: "I braked nice and late and kept him on the side, so then he had to go wide, but he went outside of the track. With the rules we have, we’re not allowed to overtake on the track, and so when I was that I was like: ‘Okay, he’s gonna have to give it back.’"

"But I thought he would immediately have another chance to overtake me again, and then I managed to somehow hold it," said the seven-time world champion.

In top form

Despite this Hamilton also knows that Red Bull and Verstappen are on top form and have been outperforming their rivals all weekend. "They're so fast, Max is obviously in top form and their car is fantastic, and the engine is so strong. To get this result, given all those factors, I’m so happy."