Whenever Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s name is mentioned in a single sentence, F1 fans could only think about the 2021 penultimate race. The fierce rivalry between the two contrasting characters was a career-defining moment for Verstappen. Since then, the Dutchman has won three world championships, breaking every F1 record.
On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton lost his magical touch after that controversial decision. The Briton ran out of luck, as the Mercedes F1 project also contributed to his downfall. However, just when everyone started thinking this was the end of Hamilton, the legend made an iconic comeback. While the Briton’s excellence was the trending topic, Verstappen’s heart-winning gesture is also going viral.
Verstappen Was The First One To Applaud The British GP Champion
The Silverstone GP was set for a thrilling contest. The reigning Red Bull, chasing McLaren and Ferrari, and resurging Mercedes all geared up for an ultimate showdown. While Red Bull was again the favorite, the qualifying went in favor of the Mercedes duo. However, after a few laps, the Mercedes duo was lagging behind, and pole-sitter Russell had to retire due to a technical fault. Thus, all eyes were on Lewis Hamilton, and he didn’t disappoint. The 39-year-old used all his experience to make some brave moves. Further, he endured the challenge from Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, while the wet conditions aggravated his woes. Ultimately, the Briton was able to end the drought after 945 days and crossed the finish line.
After an intense race, the spotlight was all on Lewis Hamilton. However, Verstapen’s gesture won the hearts of the F1 fans. He congratulated the champion, applauding his efforts. Moreover, in the cooldown room, Verstappen jokingly said to Hamilton, ‘It’s been a while’ as the Briton won a race after a long wait. During an interaction with Dutch media, the RBR starlet praised Hamilton for making the right choices and accepted that he was faster than everyone else. Ultimately, the Dutchmn highlighted the importance of winning a race in front of the home crowd, making it ten times special.
Tearful Hamilton Praises Team And Fans For Unconditional Support
Following the momentous triumph, a sobbing Hamilton thanked the crowd as the stands roared for their hero under intermittent showers. Furthermore, during the pre-podium interview with Jenson Button, he expressed his overwhelming feelings.
Furthermore, the 39-year-old Briton stated that this was his final Silverstone race with the Mercedes team, making it even more memorable. Finally, he praised the team’s hard effort, which often goes undetected behind the scenes.
