Mercedes F1

Max Verstappen started at the back of the grid at the Russian Grand Prix but managed to finish second behind race winner and chief title rival Lewis Hamilton.

His 99th victory came on home ground at Silverstone in July this year but it was achieved in controversial circumstances.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have been involved in two major crashes this season and Alex Wurz expects that it will not be the last with both drivers battling for the title.

Two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso believes Max Verstappen is currently the best driver on the grid ahead of Lewis Hamilton. The Spaniard feels the Dutch racer is the title favourite going into the final stretch of the season.

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have been accused of faking injury by Red Bull chief Helmut Marko following the crash with Verstappen in Monza. Fernando Alonso also believes it was just a racing incident with both drivers unwilling to give in.

Max Verstappen needs to grow up soon according former F1 world champion Sir Jackie Stewart. The British racing legend wants Red Bull to intervene to ensure clean racing.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen collided at the Italian Grand Prix after the Dutchman attempted to pass the Briton in to Turn 1

Hamilton will start from P4 on Sunday's Italian Grand Prix

Nico Rosberg jokingly mocked Lewis Hamilton's comments about Valtteri Bottas being his best ever teammate despite partnering three former F1 world champions in the past.

The home crowd came out in droves to support Max Verstappen in this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton all but confirmed George Russell as his new teammate for 2022. The welcome from the seven-time world champion, however, did come with a stern warning about how the partnership can work.

Toto Wolff has confirmed that Mercedes have made a decision on who will drive next to Hamilton

Verstappen will be on a mission to re-take the championship lead this weekend

Max Verstappen took a dig at Lewis Hamilton suggesting that the crash was inevitable owing to the Mercedes driver's approach at Corpse on the opening lap of the British Grand Prix.

Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko has refused to forgive Lewis Hamilton for his crash with Max Verstappen claiming that the penalty system needs to be reviewed.

Hamilton is facing backlash for going against his word about driving only electric vehicles

Lewis Hamilton was heavily booed by the crowd at the Hungaroring and the British driver believes the Red Bull Racing team is responsible for the crowd's hostile reaction.

It was an eventful Hungarian Grand Prix, which saw Lewis Hamilton retaking the championship lead

Hamilton successfully secured pole position on Saturday's qualifying session

Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko wants Lewis Hamilton's penalty re-evaluated after the team unearthed new evidence about the Silverstone crash.

Cristian Horner has laid the blame squarely on Lewis Hamilton following his crash with Max Verstappen at the British Grand Prix on July 18.

Mercedes only handed Lewis Hamilton a new deal for 2022 and beyond because Max Verstappen rejected them, says former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher.

Lewis Hamilton believes the Max Verstappen crash could have been avoided if the Dutchman was not as aggressive. He hopes the duo can move on and give each other respect and space.

Verstappen was later discharged from hospital "following a thorough medical examination, without any major injuries," said the team.

Mercedes currently trail Red Bull Racing by 44 points in the Constructors' Championship while Lewis Hamilton is 32 points behind Max Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton contract talks for the 2021 season dragged on for months but the British driver has now signed a new deal until 2023 with Mercedes.

Verstappen won two races in a row at Austria's Red Bull Ring

Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen currently holds an 18-point advantage over Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in the F1 Drivers' Championship standings.

Fernando Alonso returned to F1 in 2021 after a two-year hiatus with Alpine F1 Team but the Spaniard also held talks with Red Bull Racing.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has made tying down Lewis Hamilton to a new deal a priority before heading into the summer break in August.