Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen collide as rivalry ignites - On This Day

Max Verstappen converted a masterful launch into a commanding victory at the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, capitalising on a controversial first-corner clash that forced Lewis Hamilton wide and set the tone for a chaotic afternoon at Imola.

Despite Hamilton securing pole position, Verstappen exploited wet conditions at the start with a second-gear launch that gave him crucial traction off the line. 

The Red Bull driver surged alongside Hamilton through Tamburello, where contact between the pair forced the seven-time world champion over the raised kerbs, damaging his front wing endplate.

Hamilton was unimpressed with the move, explaining afterwards: "Max was just coming and coming and coming across. Of course, we had that touch and I had to use the run-off, take those big kerbs."

The stewards noted the incident but opted against an investigation, allowing Verstappen to escape unpunished. 

Mercedes later revealed the dangling endplate cost Hamilton up to 0.6 seconds per lap before it eventually broke off completely.

Verstappen dominates; Hamilton achieves stunning recovery

From there, Verstappen controlled the race with authority, managing the treacherous conditions with precision. The Dutchman led all but two laps, maintaining his advantage through the tricky wet-to-dry transition.

"It was very challenging out there, especially in the beginning," Verstappen said. "It was very hard to stay on track to be honest, it was very slippery. And then of course with the tyres degrading in the wet and then choosing the right moment to go onto slicks is never easy."

Hamilton's afternoon deteriorated on lap 31 when he slid off at Tosa whilst attempting to lap George Russell's Williams. 

The Briton beached his Mercedes in the gravel, reversing back onto the circuit with further front wing damage that necessitated a pit stop, dropping him a lap down.

The race was subsequently red-flagged following a high-speed collision between Valtteri Bottas and Russell at Tamburello, allowing Hamilton to unlap himself and repair his car during the stoppage.

What followed was a stunning recovery drive from the veteran, carving through the field to salvage second place, finishing 22 seconds behind Verstappen. 

McLaren's Lando Norris completed the podium in third, with the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz rounding out the top five.

Verstappen's victory marked his first of the season and extended his challenge to Hamilton's championship defence in what was already shaping up to be a fierce title battle.