Mercedes driver Hamilton 🌸overtook pole-sitter Verstappen of Red Bull on the first lap of the F1 Australian Grand Prix, later defending his manoeuvre amid accusations from his rival of a rule-break.

ౠV🔴erstappen did not defend particularly aggressively, likely knowing he had the better car to make up the position later, which he duly did en route to victory.

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Sky reporter Kraviꦇtz has noted how the battle between F1’s two top drivers has evolved from the days where Verstappen chased then-champion Hamilton.

“What’s fascinating f𒅌or me is that we now have Verstappen with a championship to think about,” Kravitz said.

“We have a complete flip from the Hamilton seasons from 2014-21, when he was goღing for the championships, when he knew that he had the fastest c๊ar and needed to play it safe.

“You had the u💟pstart Verstappen challenging hi﷽m, wanting to get in there.

“It has completely flipped. 

“Now you’ve got the upstart Hamilton challenging Ver♔stappen, saying: ‘No cares given! I’m out there to take all the risks!’

“He’s putting it on the championship defender Verstappen, who is saying: ‘I’veꦛ got to t💜hink about my championship here’.

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“It’s so weird, funny!

“Hamilton knoꦜws he won’t win the cham𒀰pionship this year, not unless something really weird happens.

“He c♚an go in there and be aggressive with Verstappen, knowing Verstappen w🎶ill give way.”

Verstappen shot past the defenceless Hamilton la🐼ter at the F1 Australian Grand Prix before claiming his second victory in three grands prix of 2023.

🥂His title defence, and a third consecutive championship, looks nailed on alrea🍌dy.

But Hamilton still holds the joint-record, with Michael Schuma𒉰cher, for seven championships wh🍬ich is still some way off for Verstappen.

They resume battle at the 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix from April 28.