F1: Footage of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc fierce rivalry at 14

After 2021 being a season for the ages in Formula 1, Mercedes fans would have been desperate to see their team strike back this time around.

They of course retained the constructor’s title, but in dramatic and highly controversial fashion, Max Verstappen overcame Lewis Hamilton for the driver’s title.

It seemed that the pair would go head-to-head once again with Lewis trying to regain the title, breaking history in the progress.

The iconic Brit in the Mercedes is a second thought though in truth. Ferrari have snatched their place in the top two and instead, a fierce battle between two old foes and friends has been reignited.

Whilst Hamilton is an older statesman, Verstappen is part of the younger crop coming through. He is alongside the likes of Lando Norris, Hamilton’s Merc partner George Russell, and Charles Leclerc. Leclerc has come up flying out of the blocks in the iconic red of Ferrari, as his Spanish sidekick Carlos Sainz.

Leclerc currently leads the Championship with two races in the book, having finished 1st in Bahrain and then 2nd in Saudi Arabia. In both races he also was awarded a bonus point for the fastest lap.

It was Verstappen who won out in Jeddah, but the Dutchman suffered a nightmare in the season opener. Both him and Red Bull teammate ‘Checo’ Perez failed to finish the race due to issues beyond their control, the same going for former Red Bull driver Pierre Gasly who is now a part of their sister team Alpha Tauri.

Hamilton and Mercedes have a lot of work to do if they’re going to challenge at the top of the table, but for the time being, it will be Leclerc vs Verstappen.

This isn’t an unfamiliar duo though with the pair have clashed in karting and throughout the junior ranks.

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