Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton tensions rise after sensational comeback masterclass

The 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix delivered one of Lewis Hamilton's most remarkable comeback drives, transforming a weekend that began in disaster into a crucial victory that revitalised his title hopes against Max Verstappen.

The race occurred four years ago today, sitting as one of the iconic grand prix weekends in the tense championship fight.

Hamilton's troubles started early when Mercedes was disqualified from sprint qualifying due to a rear wing infringement, forcing him to start Saturday's sprint from the back of the grid.

Verstappen, too, got in trouble with the stewards after touching Hamilton's rear wing assembly in parc fermé, resulting in a €50,000 fine.

Nevertheless, the grid differences offered a major boost to Verstappen in the tense title fight, as he entered the weekend with a 19-point lead over the Mercedes driver.

A five-place engine penalty for Sunday's race for a new internal combustion engine further compounded Hamilton's misery, relegating him to 10th on the main race grid despite his astonishing recovery to fifth in the shorter race.

Starting from the midpack in the grand prix, it posed an uncomfortable position for Hamilton, who had to be careful to stay out of trouble while also attempting to keep his championship hopes alive.

As he picked off the competition, all signs were pointing to another showdown with Verstappen, as memories of previous clashes were still fresh in the mind.

When they went wheel-to-wheel, Verstappen put up an aggressive defence which saw both drivers run off the track, but a resiliant Hamilton, equipped with superior pace, proved too much for the Dutchman.

Hamilton swept past his title rival to take a commanding lead, eventually winning by over 10 seconds.

"Coming into this weekend I never ever thought we would be able to close the gap like we had today," Hamilton said after the race. "Then these things just kept going against us but it really shows for everyone, never give up. Never, ever stop fighting and that's how I've really approached this weekend."

Verstappen, who had controlled much of the race from pole position, acknowledged Mercedes' pace advantage.

"We tried everything we could today of course. It was a good battle but in the end, we just missed a little bit of pace," the Red Bull driver admitted.

The victory reduced Verstappen's championship lead to 14 points with three races remaining. Hamilton's emphatic performance in São Paulo, combined with subsequent wins in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, set up the dramatic season finale in Abu Dhabi where Verstappen ultimately claimed his first world championship in controversial circumstances.