“Blue Flags for Verstappen.” These 4 words alone might have been the most hurtful and heartbreaking radio message Lewis Hamilton would have heard in his 16-year-long career in Formula 1.

It was just a while ago when Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were fighting each other for the world championship in the 2021 season. But at the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the Red Bull driver lapped the 7-time world champion during the race.

Verstappen led from the front while Hamilton was battling in the lower midfield and was P14. It was painful to see Max get past Hamilton in this manner when we saw legendary battles between the pair last season.

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Max Verstappen fans rub salt on their counterparts’ wounds

While Verstappen fans were certainly rejoicing the event on social media, there was a different mood for the Lewis Hamilton devotees on Twitter. Both sets of fans took to social media to share their reaction to the world champion lapping his arch-nemesis.

Lewis Hamilton left embarrassed after Max Verstappen laps him in Imola

The Mercedes driver failed to make an impact in the race and was left fighting in the lower midfield. Be could not get past anyone on the track, which once again shows how much he’s struggling for performance in his Mercedes.

While Max was in a league of his own throughout the race and had no hesitation in lapping his great rival. It is a movement not only he but also his team would have cherished. Red Bull fans took to social media to praise the world champion on how he made his way through the traffic, which involved Lewis Hamilton.

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It would be interesting how both drivers will react to the moment during the post-race interviews. We do not expect any nice comments from Lewis Hamilton‘s side. But it looks like this is a sign of things to come for the season ahead.