Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen risk versus reward very different - Brawn

Max Verstappen talks with Lewis Hamilton — Photo: © LAT Images

Formula 1

Hamilton and Verstappen risk versus reward very different - Brawn

Hamilton and Verstappen have locked out the top two position at each race so far

Sam Hall

Tuesday 11 May 2021 12:44

Ross Brawn believes a tense Spanish Grand Prix proved Max Verstappen has no option but to take lap-one risks in order to beat Lewis Hamilton.

After lining up on the front row alongside Hamilton, who collected the 100th pole of his F1 career, Verstappen delivered an 'elbows out' move into turn one on the seven-time champion to claim the lead

Verstappen eventually had to settle for second place in the race behind Hamilton as Mercedes delivered a strategic masterclass by making a two-stop plan work to perfection

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Appreciating the different tactics of the two drivers at present, via his regular post-race column F1 managing director motorsports Brawn said: "Max did everything right at the start to impressively take the lead.

"He’s not afraid to take the fight to Lewis. The reality is he knows he is unlikely to beat Lewis if he’s second at the end of the first lap, and that gives him the commitment to go for a pass when it’s 50-50.

"In contrast, Lewis knows that he can beat Max from second place on lap one so he doesn’t necessarily take that risk.

"Max won’t let this result get to him, though. This was a very, very good drive from him. His package just wasn’t quick enough. He knows this is his best chance ever to win the world title and he will back himself to take victory next time out in Monaco."

With Sergio Perez trailing a considerable distance behind not only the leaders but also Valtteri Bottas, Charles Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull had no way of protecting Verstappen from Mercedes' second stop.

Brawn added: "I’m not sure Red Bull could have done anything other than what they did in terms of strategy in Spain. Had they boxed the lap after Lewis’s second stop, they would have conceded track position.

"Whether or not that would have meant a closer contest to the end of the grand prix is simply speculation."

In taking pole position on Saturday, Hamilton became the first driver to score 100. Such is the scale of his achievement only five teams have crossed into triple figures - Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Williams and Team Lotus.

"Hats off to Lewis, this was another fantastic weekend where he made yet more history by taking his 100th pole position. It’s just an incredible achievement," said Brawn.

"He’s so far ahead of anyone else in this metric – with Michael Schumacher next best on 68 - and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.

"You could see the emotion when he took pole on Saturday. Such a remarkable milestone clearly means a lot to him."