Montmelo, Spain: Red Bull Racing Team racer, Max Verstappen, resigned to mourn the defeat of Lewis Hamilton in Formula One (F1), the Spanish Grand Prix in 2021. He lost dramatically, Verstappen also revealed the cause.
As is known, Verstappen can actually start racing well at the Catalunya Circuit, Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday, May 9, 2021, WIB. Starting from the second position, the Dutch racer managed to take over the first position by passing Hamilton.
Until lap 15, Verstappen still emerged as the race leader, followed by Hamilton. Even though there was a safety car, Verstappen’s position did not waver. He and Hamilton continued to control the course of the race by filling the two leading positions.
However, Verstappen had to swallow the bitter pill in the last six laps. Hamilton was able to pass Verstappen at that time. Verstappen’s strategy error in making the second pit stop turned out to be a bad result.
After passing Verstappen, Hamilton was so comfortable at the front to lead the race. In fact, the Mercedes AMG Petronas Team racer took the lead when Verstappen took the second pit stop.
The race was finally won by Hamilton. Meanwhile, Verstappen, he must return to second place. This is the third time Verstappen has finished behind Hamilton this season.
Finding this condition, Verstappen also admitted that he had installed a strategy error in the race. As a result, he had to have problems with the tires. Verstappen also felt that he could only sit like a duck when facing Hamilton’s ferocity in the last laps.
“On the one hand, I can see (Hamilton) coming. Towards the end, he became faster. There was not much we could do at that time,
said Verstappen, as quoted by Motorsports, Monday (May 10, 2021).
“When he stopped again, then I knew it was over because I had to struggle with the tires, and you can see that every lap he got closer and closer,”
he continued.
“I am like a duck who can only sit down. But anyway, I tried everything I could, “
said Sergio Perez’s teammate.
By finishing second at the Spanish F1 GP 2021, Verstappen can continue to maintain its position in the drivers’ standings. Now, he is still in second place, trailing Hamilton who leads the standings with a 14-point advantage.