Formula 1 returns with the Dutch Grand Prix and it has not disappointed! Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc had a go at each other for pole position. It was the former who emerged victorious but by a close margin. However, the qualifying was marred by a bizarre incident. Some fans threw flares on the track, with Lewis Hamilton being a potential target.
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The home favorite Max Verstappen savored in an intense battle competing against Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for the pole position. However, it was Lewis Hamilton who was potentially the target for a handful of possible Verstappen fans who attempted to throw a flare on him.
Hamilton fans were fuming at this incident and came to the 7-time world champion’s defense. Although, video footage shared on Twitter showed that the flare was already thrown on the track before Lewis Hamilton left the pit lane.
So the Dutch nationalists threw another flare on track, right when Hamilton came on track. Absolute low skull scum, infantile plebs in their orange shirts. #DutchGrandPrix | #F1 pic.twitter.com/bvnVVRmlOl
— Henry Mill (@_HenryMill) September 3, 2022
The motive behind this unjustified act is unknown. Concurrently, such actions should not be tolerated and strict action needs to be taken against such spectators. Furthermore, a potential punishment resulting in a ban or a penalty might knock some sense into such individuals.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton Gains An Unlikely Ally After Promising Qualifying Pace: “He Was on a Flyer!”
With Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc starting from the front row, Lewis Hamilton will be starting on the second row alongside Carlos Sainz. Regardless, it promises to be an exciting race considering how close the qualifying was.
F1 Twitter goes berserk over apparent flare thrown at Lewis Hamilton
The incident where a fan threw a flare on the circuit didn’t go down well with F1 Twitter, especially with Lewis fans. The LH army made their opinions known on Twitter as they backed their star driver.
That 2nd flare was thrown AT LEWIS btw, thank god these idiots are drunk and can't throw straight
— Luke 🆑 🧪 (@ElPredestinato) September 3, 2022
throwing flares at him, burning his merch, wearing demeaning shirts, and even making horrible signs and posters — all for a driver who isn’t even in the championship run. at this point, this isn’t simple rivalry; this is pure hate and racism.
f1 rivalries have been a thing —
— s 🐝 (@formullana) September 3, 2022
dutch verstappen fans threw an orange flare at lewis hamilton during qualifying but i’m supposed to believe team lh are the problem
— anya🍒 (@leclercscherie) September 3, 2022
A few fans even pointed out if it was a well-calculated move by Red Bull to deter Lewis and Mercedes.
Shame max fans felt the need to throw a flare at Lewis!
Another calculated move by Red Bull to help Max?— Lewis #44 (@Lh44Hamilton) September 3, 2022
Looking at the track map that last flare was thrown at the same corner Lewis Hamilton was going through… unacceptable #dutchgp
— FP1Will (@FP1Will) September 3, 2022
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Maybe but Hamilton was 100 down to max? Easily second place or even pole
— TpS Mati (@TpsMati) September 3, 2022
After a first-lap crash in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, Lewis Hamilton will be looking to stage a comeback. The Mercedes driver will be looking to improve on his second-placed finish last year at Zandvoort. However, if he’ll be able to overtake the two Ferrari and the Red Bull of Max Verstappen remains to be seen.
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With only 8 races left in the calendar year, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will be looking to finish the season strongly. However, Mercedes currently trails Ferrari by 41 points. To bridge this gap, Hamilton will be hoping for some help from his teammate George Russell.
Will Mercedes be able to give Ferrari a run for their money?