F1: Another Verstappen-Hamilton clash 'inevitable'

(GMM) In the hours before they race off to turn 1 at Zandvoort, F1 legend Alain Prost admits that another clash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton is “almost inevitable”.

However, the Frenchman – once locked in similar title battles with the great Ayrton Senna – admits he is enjoying the intensity of the 2021 duel.

“I also watch the whole thing as a fan,” Prost, a senior Alpine official, told De Telegraaf.

“And I hope the fight will last until the last race. As a fan, you want to see drivers fight bitterly like Max and Lewis are doing right now.”

At Verstappen’s home Dutch GP, the Dutchman and Mercedes’ Hamilton are starting one-two with almost identical pace, raising the prospect of another Silverstone-like clash.

“What happened at Silverstone is not necessarily what you want to see, but it’s almost inevitable,” 66-year-old Prost said.

“I hope it doesn’t happen too often.”

If Hamilton takes out Verstappen again, his throng of Dutch fans might lynch him. Fans celebrate Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on September 04, 2021 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)

However, Prost is still relishing the tantalizing match-up of the young fighter Verstappen against the established seven time world champion Hamilton.

“Max is a fighter who can put Lewis under pressure and that’s good for the sport,” he said.

“Everyone is a fan of Max since he started in Formula 1. I still remember interviewing him after his first win and being amazed at how mature he was.

“Of course he has made his mistakes, but that’s part of the process. Meanwhile, he hardly makes mistakes anymore and has a wealth of experience.”