Verstappen versus Hamilton: ''Then racing becomes really exciting and memorable''.

Lewis Hamilton won the first round of the battle between him and Max Verstappen, a battle which could well last all season. Mika Hakkinen enjoyed the action and the wonderful battles on track.

New challenge for Mercedes

It's been a while since two teams in Formula 1 have been so close together at the head of the field. In 2010, three teams were competing for victory and in 2012 two more teams, but since 2014 it has been Mercedes that has dominated F1. In 2021, Red Bull Racing looks to change that, although Mercedes did win the first race.

''Seeing Lewis and Max fight for victory reminds me of my fights with Michael Schumacher, and of course everyone remembers the great fights between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. When you have drivers and teams who are so close to each other. Then the racing becomes really exciting and memorable. Mercedes now has to learn how to deal with Red Bull Racing as challengers'', said the two-time world champion in his column for Unibet.com.

Verstappen remains calm

''If you don't have the fastest car, you have to use your strategy to corner your opponents. That's what Mercedes did on Sunday with Lewis' undercut on Max. Your position on the track is so important. Put a driver like Lewis at the front, and he is able to use all his experience to save his tyres and keep that position.''

However, Hakkinen saw a change of attitude from Red Bull Racing and Verstappen. ''Max did the right thing by giving that position back immediately. At least now he knows that from now on he can start competing for victory every race,'' the Finn concluded.