MOTORSPORT: Verstappen beats Hamilton in wild F1 GP

Mighty Max Verstappen delivered a wet-weather masterclass to his Formula 1 rivals as he romped to victory in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Italy.

After an embarrassing mistake in qualifying that cost him pole position, Verstappen was all business in his Red Bull racer as he defeated his arch-rival Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes-AMG with Lando Norris starring in third for McLaren.

Daniel Ricciardo was outpaced by Norris in the second McLaren and could only manage sixth on a tough day where his team even asked him to move aside to let the faster Norris past in the early laps.

Verstappen and Hamilton are now equal on wins in the 2021 season, although the Mercedes-AMG driver has a one-point advantage in the standings thanks to a bonus for fastest lap in Italy on a comeback drive after joining the many spinners on a treacherous day.

“The conditions were challenging out there, especially in the beginning, and it was very hard to stay on track but we stayed out of trouble,” said Verstappen.

“I wouldn’t call it a dominant performance as Lewis was following me quite well and for him to come back to second after his incident means they have a lot of pace in that car. But for now I’m very happy with the result.”

The action in Italy began before the start, as Fernando Alonso crashed his Alpine on a cold and wet track and both Aston Martins set fire to their rear brakes, although Alonso, Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel all made the start.

The rivalry between Verstappen and Hamilton was obvious from the first lap, as the fast-starting youngster muscled the Englishman aside on the run to the first corner and the pair touched.

There were more spins and smashes from the early laps, but the biggest impact came when George Russell of Williams punted a lacklustre Valtteri Bottas, who was never in the battle pack with his Mercedes-AMG, and the race had to be stopped while the mess was cleared.

“George got close and decided to go for a move. He obviously lost the car and hit me,” said Bottas.

It provided a get-out-of-jail card for Hamilton, who had beached his Benz after a rare error but was able to pit for a new nosecone and drive back to second.

“I’m grateful that I was back in the race and could hunt down and get back to second,” said Hamilton.

“Considering I was facing the barrier at one stage, then a lap down, yeah, it was a difficult day. I’m only human so these mistakes happen.”

Despite finishing second, Hamilton knows the 2021 season is going to be tough as Verstappen finally has a car that is equal, or better, than the Silver Arrows which have dominated recent F1 seasons.

“I started first, should have been first at the finish but these things are sent to test us and we’ve got a great battle on our hands. Game on,” Hamilton said.

A safe and sensible start to his IndyCar rookie season netted 14th place for Scott McLaughlin at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama.

The reigning Supercars champion finished two places lower than his starting slot, but was strong in a tough 24-car field as he begins a hectic month of racing that includes all three IndyCar disciplines – road course, street circuit and oval.

McLaughlin was the second IndyCar rookie to the chequered flag, behind F1 refugee Romain Grosjean, but did much better than NASCAR legend Jimmy Johnson who spun and battled home in a lacklustre 19th.

His pace was a reflection of his ranking, as he was also 13th in the pre-race warm-up at the sweeping road course, but he also got caught in a battle pack.

“I got held up a little bit, mid-race, which is a little bit disappointing.  I ended up doing a reasonable move, but it just took too long,” McLaughlin said.

The first race of the season provided a breakthrough win for Alex Palou, with Will Power second for Team Penske and Scott Dixon in third.

McLaughlin admitted he was tentative in Alabama but is looking forward to intense period of racing.

“I didn’t know the capacity of the car and I was a bit nervous. I just wanted to get one race under my belt,” he said.

“Can’t wait for St Pete. We’ve got another two weeks of IndyCar racing, back-to-back. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The IndyCar season continues with the Grand Prix of St Petersburg in Florida on Sunday, April 25.