The 2021 F1 title duel between Hamilton and Verstappen
Defending champion Lewis Hamilton and challenger Max Verstappen resume their Formula One title duel at the United States Grand Prix on Sunday. The championship lead has changed several times this season, with Red Bull driver Verstappen currently six points ahead of Mercedes star Hamilton who is seeking a record eighth title. Following is how the duel has unfolded so far:
Bahrain GP: The season-opener is a first taste of how the season will be with Hamilton pipping Verstappen for victory by less than eight-tenth of a second. Hamilton 25 points, Verstappen 18.
Emilia Romagna GP: Verstappen bounces back in a chaotic race in Imola, winning from Hamilton who however gets the extra point for fastest lap to retain the lead. Hamilton 44, Verstappen 43.
Portugal GP: Hamilton wins from Verstappen. Hamilton 69, Verstappen 61.
Spain GP: Hamilton is the first to win two races in a row, with Verstappen having to settle for second again but with the extra point for fastest lap to trail. Hamilton 94, Verstappen 80.
Monaco GP: Vestappen wins for the first time in the principality and moves top again. Hamilton has to settle for seventh, albeit with fastest lap. Verstappen 105, Hamilton 101.
Azerbaijan GP: No change because Verstappen crashes late in the race as leader after a tyre blows up and Hamilton then rides out after a safety car phase to place 16th. Verstappen 105, Hamilton 101.
France GP: Verstappen wins ahead of Hamilton and with the fastest lap as well. Verstappen 131, Hamilton 119.
Styria GP: Another Verstappen win ahead of Hamilton, in the Red Bull home race, increases his lead to 18 points, as Hamilton gets fastest lap. Verstappen 156, Hamilton 138.
Austria GP: Verstappen also tops the second Spielberg race for a third straight win overall and with fastest lap claims the biggest lead of the season at 32 points. Hamilton has to settle for fourth. Verstappen 182, Hamilton 150.
Britain GP: Hamilton and Vertstappen collide in the first turn which ends Verstappen’s race while Hamilton wins his home GP. He makes up 24 points in a weekend where Verstappen got three extra for a sprint win. Verstappen 185, Hamilton 177.
Hungary GP: Verstappen loses the lead in a turbulent race which he finishes in ninth after being involved in an early crash. Hamilton comes second to go top by 8 pts. Hamilton 195, Verstappen 187.
Belgium GP: Verstappen wins with half points awarded after the field follows the safety car around a water-logged Spa course. Hamilton is third, retains lead. Hamilton 202.5, Verstappen 199.5.
Netherlands GP: Verstappen delights a huge Dutch home crowd with victory, dethrones Hamilton at the top. Verstappen 224.5, Hamilton 221.5.
Italy GP: Verstappen gets two points from the earlier sprint race. Verstappen 226.5, Hamilton 221.5.
Russia GP: Hamilton gets the 100th race win milestone and championship lead back. Hamilton 246.5, Verstappen 244.5.
Turkey GP: Hamilton has a 10-place grid penalty owing to new engine components and fights from 11th to fifth. But Verstappen goes back top from coming second: Verstappen 262.5, Hamilton 256.5.