The quarrel protagonized at Azerbaijan Formula 1 Grand Prix by the British Lewis Hamilton and the German Sebastian Vettel can be the trigger for frictions that gathers all ingredients needed to turn it into a whole classic of the highest category.
In Baku, battle between Hamilton and Vettel overshadowed the Australian, Daniel Ricciardo’s victory, the first podium of the F1 novice, Lance Stroll and the first points of the season for McLaren.
Compliments were left behind after the first race of the season, in Australia, where Vettel, winner at Melbourne, and Hamilton claimed to feel mutual respect and predicted a rough fight for the world crown.
Besides the current rivalry between Hamilton and Vettel, a fight arose within Force India after the incident between Sergio Pérez and Esteban Ocon.
When the Mexican was near the third position, his Welsh team mate’s impetus caused him a mishap between both of them, during which the driver from Guadalajara was the most affected as the time he necessarily had to stop at the pits and let go his valuable chance to win his first F1 race.
Another chapter of the Finish war was lived in Azerbaijan between Kimi Räikkönen, from Ferrari, and Valtteri Bottas, from Williams, with a crash during the initial lap which relegated positions to the driver of that team.
The quarrel between Räikkönen and Bottas has its background since 2015, when both had contact during competitions in Russia and Mexico respectively.
Among other historical rivalries in F1, the most outstanding is the one protagonized by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.
During 1988 season, McLaren hired Senna as Prost’s team mate, who had already won two world championships, in 1985 and 1986, both conquered for Woking team.
Senna didn’t mind having a two-time champion as a team mate, and proved it becoming champion, after a whole campaign during which McLaren had won 15 of the 16 Grand Prix.
The following year, having again Senna and Prost as rivals for the podium, the climax occurred during Japan Formula 1 Gran Prix, when both team mates collided prior to the main straight. After the crash, Ayrton returned to the track and won the competition. However, commissioners disqualified the Brazilian and the Welsh was named champion for the third time.
Another classic encounter in F1 involves Niki Lauda and James Hunt a rivalry that was recently taken to the movies screen with Rush.
In 1967, Lauda began the season with a great fanfare with seven podiums during the same number of races, while Hunt recorded a victory with McLaren, with four dropouts.
With five victories and absolute leader in the chart, Lauda had an accident on the Germany date when he received burns on his face. After being absent during two dates, the Austrian returned to fight the last date, against Hunt for the title in Japan.
In the intense rain, Lauda dropout the test, while Hunt was getting his third world Crown, after beating Ferrari’s driver only with one point ahead.
There are many questions. Will rivalry between Lewis and Sebastian continue, despite the fact they will be under FIA’s sight? Ocon will give the fight against Checo? Will Finish Kimi and Valtteri keep on fighting every centimeter of the track with their cold and calculating style? Will FIA set stronger punishments?
The truth is, battles are set on the table of Formula Uno Gran Premio de México that will take place at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez from October 27 to 29. Purchase your tickets on the Ticketmaster system or calling 53259000.