After the stunning performance at Imola, Max Verstappen, the Red Bull driver is revving up for the upcoming race in Portugal. The Dutch prodigy will again go neck-to-neck against Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.
The 23-year-old have aced in most of the events in 2021, like the pre-season testing, and qualifying at Bahrain. However, the Silver Arrow knight has been a constant threat to the Dutch, as Hamilton won the season-opener.
Race winner Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on April 18, 2021, in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
Verstappen made a comeback and defeated his rival Hamilton at Imola. In past seasons, Mercedes has been the one dominating the circuit. However, Red Bull is the favorite and is giving a hard time to the defending champion. Thus, even the Austrian veteran, Gerhard Berger, claimed the competition between the Red Bull and the Mercedes drivers will get intense with each passing race.
In an F1 podcast, Berger stated, “We love to see such a competitive young guy like Max against an experienced guy like Lewis and the story between Mercedes and Red Bull heating up. I think that’s what we’re used to from the old days. In my days that was normal, Williams against Ferrari and McLaren and so on.”
What’s next for Max Verstappen?
The Red Bull prodigy is one of the best drivers in the world and he proved that at the Autodrome Enzo e Dino Ferrari. Verstappen has been the favorite of this year and giving a hard time to the seven-time world champion.
Max Verstappen took the lead from Lewis Hamilton at the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 28, 2021. (Image courtesy: Red Bull Racing Official Twitter Handle)
The 23-year-old Max currently ranks P2 with 43 points behind Hamilton, who is topping the table with 44 points. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez is at P8 with 10 points. However, the Dutch driver claims he and Checo will put a more challenging fight for the Mercedes duo in Portugal. Further, many F1 experts and fans believe throughout the season a thrilling fight will continue between the Austrian and the German constructor.
Max Verstappen will go behind the wheels of Red Bull RB16B again, for the Heineken Grande Prémio De Portugal 2021. We might again witness the Dutch claiming his second win of the season at the Portuguese circuit.
