THE STORY
During the 2021 Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 12, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen collided at the first chicane after both had completed pit stops. Verstappen's Red Bull was launched onto Hamilton's Mercedes, resulting in both cars being forced to retire from the race. The stewards deemed Verstappen predominantly at fault, imposing a three-place grid penalty for the Russian Grand Prix. (formula1.com)
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen
WHY IT MATTERS
This incident intensified the championship rivalry between Hamilton and Verstappen, highlighting the high-stakes nature of their competition.