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Race winner Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme at the F1 French Grand Prix in Le Castellet, France, June 20, 2021. /CFP
Max Verstappen won the French Grand Prix on Sunday to extend his lead over Lewis Hamilton in the drivers' title race and leave the world champion's Mercedes team "with a big fight" to retain control of their F1 fiefdom.
The Red Bull driver hunted down and overtook the world champion with over a lap to go at a gusty Le Castellet to claim his third win out of seven races this season.
"Towards the end I enjoyed it! At the beginning it was super difficult out there with the wind," said Verstappen.
This was a massive statement by the Dutch driver and his resurgent Red Bull team who won their third successive race after Monaco and Baku.
It pushed Verstappen 12 points clear of Hamilton ahead of back-to-back races on Red Bull turf in Austria.
The race winners' trophies of Max Verstappen and third placed Sergio Perez, both of Red Bull, are pictured in the paddock after the F1 French Grand Prix in Le Castellet, France, June 20, 2021. /CFP
Mercedes, for so long used to ruling the roost, are relishing the two-team title battle.
"We're in for a big fight this season and we'll have to dig deep as a team. We are up for it!" they tweeted.
Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull came in third with Valtteri Bottas in the second Mercedes finishing fourth at the circuit with mesmerizing light blue and red striped contours.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner had said before the race "if we can beat them here we can beat them anywhere" of Mercedes, who were itching to get back onto a regular track like the circuit Paul Ricard after getting lost on the streets of Monaco and Baku.
Max Verstappen driving the (#33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda leads Lewis Hamilton driving the (#44) Mercedes AMG Petronas racing car during the F1 French Grand Prix in Le Castellet, France, June 20, 2021. /CFP
But things got off to a bumpy beginning for pole sitter Verstappen, who went off the track in a horror start coming out of turn one, Hamilton accepting the unexpected gift to take the lead.
"I couldn't keep the car under control," complained Verstappen.
Hamilton was generous in his praise for Verstappen.
"Congrats to Max he did a great job today, they had the better strength all weekend."
The Briton, stuck on 98 career wins, added: "Considering we had such a difficult Friday, I am really happy with today's result. Of course, we didn't win and we were in the lead, but I had no tires left at the end so unfortunately lost the position but still it was a good race."
