Hamilton forgives Verstappen: 'Incidents are sometimes part of this sport'

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11:38, 25 Sep 2021

Lewis Hamilton is enjoying the fight he is having with Max Verstappen this season. Although the British driver has faced many competitors in recent years, he feels that the battle with Verstappen is again of a different caliber.

The seven-time World Champion is only five points behind in the World Championship so far, so the end of the season looks to be very exciting. Hamilton, however, is not letting himself off the hook. "I've always had a competitor who wanted to beat me. I've been driving up front for a long time, even before my Formula One days," he told The Telegraph.

Hamilton is impressed with Verstappen's qualities. "Max never gives up, but I don't either. I have raced against many drivers with the same attitude. Some are smarter than others. A season is a marathon, not a sprint. But it's nice for the public to see new characters emerging. Incidents are sometimes part of this sport, I think we both easily put the knob back on. As long as we stay healthy."

Verstappen starts at the back of the grid at Russia GP

Red Bull Racing decided to change Verstappen's engine this weekend in Russia. It means the Dutchman will start at the back of the grid for Sunday afternoon's race. Hamilton is the favourite to take pole position.

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	156
2	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	90
3	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	88
4	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	75
5	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	60
6	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	58
7	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	43
8	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	29
9	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	26
10	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	26
11	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
12	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	15
13	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	13
14	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
15	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	5
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	3
17	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
18	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	1
19	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
20	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	0
21	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
22	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0

Hamilton forgives Verstappen: 'Incidents are sometimes part of this sport'

Verstappen starts at the back of the grid at Russia GP

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