The seven-time world champion was running just outside of the points behind the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll after the first round of pit stops, but his afternoon was cut short just 17 laps into the race.
Hamilton had complained ahead of the weekend that Verstappen was already 43 points ahead of him in the Drivers’ Championship standings and that any hopes of a championship tilt were over.
Then, when Verstappen’s engine blew out on lap four, Mercedes were handed a golden opportunity to make significant inroads on their long-time rivals Red Bull.
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