Lewis Hamilton has private chat with Leclerc about Max Verstappen

F1 preview: A lap at the United States Grand Prix

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Lewis Hamilton has revealed his thoughts on his intense battle with Max Verstappen in a private chat in the cold down room at the United States Grand Prix. Hamilton claimed he tried “so hard to stay ahead of (Verstappen) in a private chat with Leclerc. 

It comes after Hamilton and Verstappen enjoyed an intense battle in the closing stages. Verstappen saw his early lead slip after a pit lane error dropped him down to P3. 

The Dutchman made his anger clear over team radio but it inspired a dramatic comeback drive. He quickly passed Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc before hunting down Hamilton at almost half a second per lap. 

Verstappen bided his time but eventually got the help of DRS to help him pass his former world championship rival. The Mercedes driver attempted to fight back in the closing stages and kept reporting the Red Bull star for apparently crossing track limits. 

Verstappen was handed a final warning by race stewards with just a handful of laps remaining, raising fears he could be hit with a penalty. After the race, Hamilton admitted the new upgrades had helped Mercedes to close the gap to the leaders. 

He commented: “It was so, so close and I did everything I could to try and stay ahead but they were just a little bit too quick today. Great strategy, great race by red Bull and again my condolences to the team.

“The car was a handful today and firstly, it felt amazing to be in the lead. That is something we have been working so hard on throughout the year and we have had so much hope. 

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The victory has also helped Red Bull secure the constructors’ championship for the first time since 2013. Verstappen is also the first driver to win two races in the United States during the same season since Alan Jones in 1981.

Speaking after the race, Verstappen added: “It was a tough one. It was all looking good but then the pit stop was a bit longer than we would have liked, so I had to fight my way forward again. We gave it everything out there today, and of course it’s a very difficult weekend for us, so this one is definitely dedicated to Dietrich.

“We had a big chance to win the constructors’ here, and you want to do that in style, and I think we did that today. This is a great track for battling. If you pass in one corner, you can come back in the next, and it’s really enjoyable to drive here.”

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