How the rivalry between Hamilton and Verstappen has exploded into open war

HERE are the key incidents that have caused the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to deteriorate:

APR 8, 2018 BAHRAIN

Verstappen retires after colliding with Hamilton. The Mercedes driver criticises the Dutchman afterwards and Verstappen hits back saying: ‘It’s easy to blame young drivers’.

OCT 27, 2019 MEXICO

Another collision and, although Hamilton wins the race, he says afterwards that ‘Max is a magnet for those kind of things’.

APR 18, 2021 ITALY (IMOLA)

Verstappen forces his rival off the track and went on to win the race.

JUL 18, 2021 BRITAIN

The first of three collisions this season. Verstappen crashes into the barriers and ends up in hospital while Hamilton wins but is given a 10-second penalty. Red Bull principal Christian Horner says: ‘It’s unacceptable. For me that’s a hollow victory’.

SEP 12, 2021 ITALY (MONZA)

The duo collide and Verstappen’s car is flung into the air and lands on top of the Mercedes halo protection device. As a result, both drivers have to retire from the race. Mercedes principal Toto Wolff says Verstappen committed a ‘tactical foul’.

NOV 14, 2021 BRAZIL

The heat turns up a few notches when Hamilton leads qualifying but Red Bull press FIA to investigate the Mercedes rear wing. Hamilton is penalised and forced to start the sprint race from the back of the grid, while Verstappen is fined for fiddling with the Mercedes rear wing. During the race, the Dutchman forces Hamilton off the track and, although the Brit goes on to win, the two teams spend the week slinging verbal arrows at each other.

DEC 5, 2021 SAUDI ARABIA

Verstappen is penalised for going off the track and gaining an advantage. Told by stewards to give the place back to Hamilton, he brakes hard when Hamilton is close behind and the British driver collides with him. Hamilton, who describes his rival as ‘crazy’, goes on to win the race.