'Stupid idiot!' - Title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen clash in second practice at US Grand Prix

ByAlice Reeves Turner

Published 23/10/2021 at 09:48 GMT

Title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen clash in second practice at the US Grand Prix, as Red Bull’s Sergio Perez emerged with the fastest time. After Hamilton overtook Verstappen going into the final corner, following an incident in which the two raced side by side down the pit straight, Verstappen called Hamilton a "stupid idiot" over the radio before sticking his middle finger up at him.

Title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen clashed in the second practice at the US Grand Prix, as Red Bull’s Sergio Perez emerged with the fastest time.

Unusually for a non-competitive Friday, there was a brief flashpoint between the title rivals, separated by just six points in the standings, during the opening day's running.

After Hamilton overtook Verstappen going into the final corner, following an incident in which the two raced side by side down the pit straight, Verstappen called Hamilton a "stupid idiot" over the radio.

Bahrain Grand Prix

Hamilton describes shock Ferrari move as 'hardest decision I've ever had to make'

23/02/2024 at 15:35

Verstappen then stuck his middle-finger up at Hamilton as they accelerated out of the corner.

Verstappen, who later aborted his qualifying simulations after being frustrated by traffic, said of the incident with Hamilton: "We were all lining up to go for our lap so I don't really understand what happened there."

Max Verstappen e Lewis Hamilton sono pronti ad incendiare la contesa nelle ultime 6 gare della stagione

Image credit: Getty Images

• Formula One confirm remaining 2021 race schedule after coronavirus alterations
• Christian Horner surprised by mercedes straight line speed
• Mercedes won't rule out fifth Lewis Hamilton engine change despite losing title lead to Verstappen

Hamilton set the fastest time of the session but it was ruled out for marginally exceeding track limits at Turn 19. The time he set was 0.1secs faster than Perez's quickest.

Verstappen, who leads Hamilton by six points in the title race with six races to go, did not set a representative time and ended up eighth in the session.

Formula 1

Verstappen says Hamilton could face 'awkward, weird' last season with Mercedes

15/02/2024 at 23:54

Season 2024

'Emotional' Hamilton determined for success ahead of Ferrari move as Mercedes launch new car

14/02/2024 at 17:32

Formula 1

Alonso: Hamilton's switch to Ferrari can bring 'extra to fight for championship'

12/02/2024 at 13:27