LEWIS CAN CASH IN TO THE MAX

Verstappen starts at back of grid in Russia after new-engine penalty

LEWIS HAMILTON has been gifted the chance to wrest back the world Championship lead after max Verstappen was condemned to start tomorrow’s Russian Grand Prix from the back of the grid. The Dutchman’s punishment is for taking a new engine in what could prove a pivotal moment in the pair’s nip-and-tuck contest. The change is the high price Verstappen pays for his 180mph crash at silverstone in July, the crack resulting in a fourth new power unit now, one more than can be taken without sanction. Red Bull opted to take the hit at the sochi autodrom because the circuit offers overtaking possibilities and Verstappen was already facing a three-place grid penalty for crashing into Hamilton at monza. In 2018, Verstappen started 19th and finished fifth, but he will have his work cut out to prevent Hamilton overturning a five-point deficit in the title race. ‘It is definitely a shame for max,’ said the seven-time champion. ‘But we have to capitalise on that and get a maximum result.’ as for potentially carving through the field, 23-year-old Verstappen argued it would be a ‘bit more difficult’ than three years ago because the midfield has since grown more competitive.

He added: ‘we had to take the penalty somewhere. so we thought, “OK, we will do it here and try to make the best of it in the race”.’ Rain could also play a part with a deluge forecast to hit sochi, the Black sea resort that hosted the 2014 winter Olympics. ‘we took everything into account and the weather was part of that,’ added Verstappen, who was only sixth fastest in second practice, with Valtteri Bottas leading a mercedes one-two.

whether or not Hamilton and Verstappen come wheel-to-wheel only a fortnight after their spectacular smash in monza — where the challenger almost drove over Hamilton’s head — the tone for the rest of this turbulent season has been set by the Briton’s promise not to back out of any tight corners with his rival. so a third major shunt at some point across the remaining eight rounds sounds inevitable. Hamilton’s mercedes team boss Toto wolff said: ‘we are discussing these things in detail and the change of approach is that Lewis has decided not to bail out anymore when he thinks the corner is his. ‘It needs two people to understand each other on the track to avoid a collision. ‘as Christian (Horner) said, they are in the cars and we have no influence on the driving. If they both wanted to avoid collisions they would have fewer collisions. If they don’t, and instead feel it is right not to give room, then we will have more collisions.’ Red Bull boss Horner, sitting next to wolff, defended Verstappen against comments made in Sportsmail by sir Jackie stewart. The grand prix legend said that while he thought Verstappen was now the fastest man on the grid, he was still taking more time than expected to mature as an all-rounder. ‘I always respect sir Jackie’s opinion but max has shown great maturity this year,’ said Horner. ‘Of course, you are always evolving and learning and I am sure sir Jackie made a few mistakes in his time and that is the journey of life.’ TV: LIVE tomorrow on Sky Sports F1 from midday. Race starts 1pm.