Monza (Italy) (AFP)

With another impressive clash, the duel between the leader of the F1 world championship Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and his pursuer Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) has taken another step up in Italy, while recalling the role of the halo for the pilot safety.

"The halo clearly saved Lewis' life": for Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, the accident between the two rivals could have had dramatic consequences without this piece installed since 2018 above the F1 cockpit.

On lap 26 of 53, Hamilton, just out of the pits, and Verstappen, came wheel to wheel in the first chicane at the end of the straight.

Hamilton kept the advantage, forcing Verstappen to step on a curb.

The Dutchman lost control and saw his car climb over his opponent's.

The image will probably best summarize the 2021 Formula 1 season: the two single-seaters mounted on top of each other.

The two, stuck in the gravel, disarmed.

The two pilots, neutralized but unharmed, forced to retire after another tough fight.

On slow motion, we can see that indeed the halo perfectly protects the British driver by resisting the weight of the Red Bull single-seater.

Images that recall the accident of Romain Grosjean at the end of 2020 in Bahrain, where the halo had protected the French entered violently into the security barriers and leaving him a chance to extricate himself from his burning car.

- Silverstone before Monza -

"How many accidents will it take? Both have to leave room, race hard but avoid clashes," added Wolff, saying Verstappen was "at fault".

For his counterpart at Red Bull, Christian Horner, it is on the contrary "a racing incident. Objectively, it is 50/50, and fortunately no one was injured".

A few hours after the incident, the race management judged Verstappen "mainly responsible" for the accident.

The Dutchman, who should have stepped aside while waiting to try his luck again according to the commissioners, was penalized by three places on the grid for the next GP in Russia (September 26).

Impressive collision between Max Verstappen's Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes during the Italian GP at the Autodrome National de Monza, September 12, 2021 ANDREJ ISAKOVIC AFP

After an intense but still decent start to the season, the Briton and the Dutchman collided for the first time at Silverstone for the British GP in July.

At high speed, Verstappen had been propelled against the wall.

While in hospital for reassuring exams Hamilton won his 99th race in F1 (he is still waiting for the 100th).

Verstappen, furious to see his opponent celebrate victory from the hospital, considered his behavior "dangerous", "disrespectful and unsportsmanlike".

- "He lost control" -

At the accounting level, it is the status quo after this race.

Verstappen is still five points ahead of Hamilton.

But on a psychological level, the battle between the two intensifies.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton flown over by Max Verstappen's Red Bull during the Italian GP at Monza, September 12, 2021 ANDREJ ISAKOVIC AFP

During a virtual press briefing, Hamilton explained that he had "neck pain".

But above all he considered himself "lucky": "Thank God the halo saved me and saved my neck. It was a big shock".

"He lost control in the turn," he said, while Verstappen considered that Hamilton had "squeezed" him without giving him any room.

"So I had to take the vibrator and unfortunately, we touched, but these are things that happen," said Verstappen, who appeared very calm in the mixed zone.

An incident that ultimately spices up the race for the title a little more, with eight races to go, and which left the field open to Daniel Ricciardo and McLaren for the victory.

A first since 2018 for the Australian and since 2012 for the English team.

© 2021 AFP