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44 Lewis Hamilton GBR, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, 1 Max Verstappen NLD, Oracle Red Bull Racing, F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 23, 2022 in Austin, United States of America. Photo by Carl Bingham/Motorsport Images/DPPI via HOCH ZWEI Austin United States of America *** 44 Lewis Hamilton GBR, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team , 1 Max Verstappen NLD, Oracle Red Bull Racing , F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 23, 2022 in Austin, United States of America Photo by Carl Bingham Motorsport Images DPPI via HOCH ZWEI Austin United States of America
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago1017097611h.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
44 Lewis Hamilton GBR, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, 1 Max Verstappen NLD, Oracle Red Bull Racing, F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 23, 2022 in Austin, United States of America. Photo by Carl Bingham/Motorsport Images/DPPI via HOCH ZWEI Austin United States of America *** 44 Lewis Hamilton GBR, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team , 1 Max Verstappen NLD, Oracle Red Bull Racing , F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 23, 2022 in Austin, United States of America Photo by Carl Bingham Motorsport Images DPPI via HOCH ZWEI Austin United States of America
The Australian GP main race is well underway and what a start we’ve had. Against all odds, George Russell got ahead of Max Verstappen, who too got a great start, but for some reason, did not carry enough pace in Turn 1. The race hadn’t progressed too much further into the lap when P3 starter Lewis Hamilton took the Dutchman over as well. However, the reigning champion cried foul. Fans did not take well to the criticism, though.
After a continued bad run during the practice sessions and underwhelming runs in Q1 and Q2 on Saturday, Mercedes pulled off a stunner in Q3. Beating all expectations, they not only beat Aston Martin but also Ferrari to take home P2 (Russell) and P3 (Hamilton) for the starting grid. But turns out, they were just beginning to scrape the surface of the box full of surprises. The main drama was left to be unfolded for the main race.
Lewis Hamilton fans take Max Verstappen to task for playing the victim
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Verstappen, over the years in F1, has gained quite the notoriety for his aggressive driving. He often pushes other drivers off the track which has seen him take penalties. However, when Hamilton attacked him on the inside, he ended up running himself wide and complained on the radio, blaming the Briton for it.
Fans, however, did not like him playing victim, and just felt that it was a case of what Michael Scott would say, ‘how the turntables’. Take a look at some reactions from Twitter.
Salty as usual from Max. Nothing wrong with the overtake. He got schooled by a better driver
— ShaneG (@Shane2008k) April 2, 2023
I’m neutral, but I’m saying Lewis was pretty aggressive all things considered.
— US_F1_officially_unofficial (@USF1_UNOFFICIAL) April 2, 2023
How he thinks that was being pushed wide is nonsense to me
— F1 Drive (@F1DrivePod) April 2, 2023
Utter rubbish!
— paul dale (@paulwdale) April 2, 2023
Of course, if his majesty is overtaken it‘s foul play 🙄
— Hiareth (@makeitgood44) April 2, 2023
Toys coming out of the pram again 🤣
— Sal J (@msglamcoral500) April 2, 2023
Oh, c'mooon, Max! (Red) Bullshit! #AustralianGP
— Száguldó Cirkusz (@realsimonsays) April 2, 2023
me when i lie https://t.co/6yF7LCjV6D
— sarah !! 🏁 (@lancestrulovich) April 2, 2023
mans doesn’t like his own medicine lmaoooooooo https://t.co/iHMS9QZIsw
— thee, not the (@theeragingbull) April 2, 2023
I love you but he didn’t push you off 😭 https://t.co/4mZP7LmkFG
— saleha (@alehas_) April 2, 2023
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Watch This Story: Bromance moments between Max Verstappen & Lewis Hamilton
The irony 🤣 https://t.co/xBUnn66fgr
— TamiD¿ (@tami_d44) April 2, 2023
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Hamilton was behind Verstappen when the two went into the turn, which makes it unlikely that the Dutchman was pushed wide. Do you think the Briton was being a bit naughty? Drop in your predictions for the rest of the race.