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Max Verstappen hits back in fierce title fight with Lewis Hamilton after going marginally quicker in Friday practice for the Qatar Grand Prix… but Brit’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas goes fastest at the Losail Circuit
Max Verstappen ended an explosive day in the title battle against Lewis Hamilton narrowly quicker than his rival in Friday practice at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Verstappen came into the weekend subject to a Mercedes review request regarding his defensive driving against Hamilton at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix last time out.
But the Red Bull driver survived any reprimand following the incident where he appeared to force the Brit off the road at Interlagos.
Max Verstappen went narrowly quicker than Lewis Hamilton in Friday practice for the Qatar GP
Verstappen is looking to bounce back from the defeat by Lewis Hamilton in Brazil
The Dutchman then ended the day third quickest at the Losail Circuit less than a tenth quicker than fourth placed Hamilton.
However it appears Mercedes have the overall advantage in Qatar with Valtteri Bottas going quickest, two tenths faster than the AlphaTauri of Pierre Gasly.
Hamilton took the chequered flag in Brazil last weekend to close the gap in the drivers’ championship to 14 points with three races remaining.
But Verstappen escaped punishment for running the current champion off the road as they duelled for first position on lap 48.
Hamilton is sporting a new rainbow helmet for this weekend’s race at the Losail circuit
Hamilton was only fourth fastest in the opening and second sessions in Qatar
Source : dailymail
