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‘Lucky’ Lewis Hamilton Didn’t Pay a “Bigger Price” for Imola Mistake: Horner

The title fight between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen is touted to go down to the wire. So, they will look to find even the slightest of gains to get an edge over the other. Hence, psychological welfare has begun after the fourth round in Barcelona.

First, Hamilton took a jibe at his Dutch rival for his errors. He believed that Mercedes shouldn’t “continue to rely on mistakes from others”. And now Red Bull Team Principal, Christian Horner has hit back.

Not only does he believe that “Max will do his talking on the track,” but he also thinks that the lady luck has been shining brightly on Hamilton since his mistakes haven’t cost him as dearly as Max.

Max Verstappen comments on his possible new teammate
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 01: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner talk in the garage during qualifying for the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone on August 01, 2020 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

“Lewis has demonstrated he’s capable of, excuse my French, dropping a b—— occasionally. He’s capable of making a significant mistake as we saw in Imola, and he just got very lucky that he wasn’t a lap down and didn’t pay a bigger price for it,” Horner told ESPN.

There are still 19 races to go as part of this record-breaking 23-race F1 calendar. Hence, this season is truly a marathon and not a sprint where the final stage will prove to be the most integral. So, Horner doesn’t see Verstappen‘s errors as title-defining yet –

“Look, they can all make mistakes and we’re at the non-pressured stage of the championship at the moment. As we get to the business end it will count for more.”

2021 F1 Championship between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen
Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Imola – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in action. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

Horner believes Max Verstappen’s “youthful bravado” will help him in beating Lewis Hamilton

While Lewis has a ton of experience with close title fights, Max has none. So, it’s an area where the Briton clearly holds an advantage over the young title challenger as he’s handled this pressure before. But, according to Horner, Max’s courageous persona will also help him.

Read More: Brawn Highlights Verstappen’s Only Tactic to Keep F1 Title Fight Alive Against Hamilton

“I think he’s got that youthful bravado; he’s got nothing to lose. Every big pressure point in his career I’ve seen him deal with previously, he’s stepped up to the plate tremendously well. I’ve got no doubt he’ll be able to deal with it should the opportunity come,” said Horner.

Christian Horner with Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen in Imola
Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – April 18, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen talks with team principal Christian Horner after winning the race Pool via REUTERS/Bryn Lennon

As the season moves to Monaco, let’s see who can get their noses ahead this time.

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