Verstappen v Leclerc heralded as great ‘advert’ for F1

After being denied a close finish in Bahrain due to Verstappen’s car failure, fans were treated to what could prove to be one of the closest races of the season in Saudi Arabia.

Verstappen overtook race leader Leclerc only to be re-overtaken as the Ferrari driver made the most of the DRS before the Dutchman eventually made the move stick and secured the win.

Even after only two races, the pair are looking likely to be the main contenders for this year’s Drivers’ Championship – and Lammers believes it was a great advert for the sport.

“It was a very nice race,” he told motorsport.com. “It was an advertisement for motorsport and also a signal that F1 is going the right way.

“They found a very nice balance, one in which being careful with each other was paramount. You could already see that at the start.

“Max was in his usual attack mode, but the Ferraris also gave him room. It’s like the old days with these youngsters, when you used to punch each other after a good race.”

The former F1 driver, who started 23 races, said he could see the difference between the rivalry of Leclerc and Verstappen and that of Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

Leclerc and Verstappen after their epic battle pic.twitter.com/ldxpzsTP4x

— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) March 28, 2022

“Both Max and Charles, especially with Charles we have seen in the past, are very honest and transparent when they make a mistake. Charles also has no hidden agenda or political games,” said Lammers.

“Of course, if they are equal in the championship with three races to go they might also say things to get into the other’s head, but now there is still mutual respect and that is nice to see.

“The other way around, we also see Hamilton not making any statements to get into other people’s