‘Clear I’m in his head!’ Max Verstappen fumed at Lewis Hamilton’s ‘silly comment’

F1: Verstappen and Hamilton verbally spar

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Max Verstappen is putting up a big challenge to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton this season, and the two drivers have clashed on the track on multiple occasions. Just last weekend, at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Verstappen and Hamilton came together at the first chicane of the famous track, leading to both drivers retiring from the race. Red Bull has continued the war of words this week as they defend their Dutch driver, who received a three-place grid penalty for the next race in Russia. Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has accused Hamilton of putting on a “show”.

He said: “It was a normal racing accident, all the stories around it were pulled by Mercedes,” Marko told Sport24 Auto. “Verstappen had already got off when Hamilton tried to get out of the gravel trap with the return. The medical car saw this and drove on.

“And then a show is pulled off that poor Hamilton is suddenly injured, et cetera.”

Other drivers have also offered their view on the incident – Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has said it is “pretty clear” who was at fault but has refused to disclose who he would pin the blame on.

He added: “They are fighting for a championship. You’re more exposed to these kinds of incidents [in that scenario] like we’ve seen in the past.

“I guess it’s a natural thing in Formula 1, two guys that are fighting for the championship tend to collide more often than not.”

The Monza incident is not the first time Verstappen and Hamilton have had a war of words.

In October 2019, when the Mercedes driver had just emerged victorious in the Mexican Grand Prix, his Red Bull rival accused Hamilton of making a “silly comment”.

Hamilton claimed that he affords the Red Bull driver extra room in the fear of being “torpedoed”.

Verstappen responded: “It was a silly comment to make. I don’t need to dig into other people in a press conference because it is disrespectful and I prefer to fight on track.

“It only shows that I am in their heads and I guess that is a good thing.

“I am a hard racer, but fair, and it is just not correct [what Hamilton said]. I like to fight hard but on the edge.

“If they want me to stay behind it is better that I stay at home. I want to take the fight to them because that is what we are here for.

“We are in Formula 1, we are the best out there, and we fight for victories. That is what I live for.”

Both drivers have clashed with one another in recent years, but their rivalry has intensified this season given how close the battle for the title is.

Following their respective DNFs last week, Verstappen leads by just five points over Hamilton.

Both have spent time at the top of the standings in what has been a topsy turvy season.

At Silverstone in July, Hamilton collided with Verstappen and sent him into the wall before going on to win the race.

Following the race, the Red Bull man accused his Mercedes counterpart of being “disrespectful’ with his celebrations.

DON’T MISS
Jeremy Clarkson brutally mocks Lewis Hamilton for Met Gala look [INSIGHT]
Mercedes have ‘a list of problems’ in Lewis Hamilton cause for concern [ANALYSIS]
Red Bull boss Horner gives verdict on Verstappen’s Russian GP penalty [INSIGHT]

Red Bull Team Principal, Christian Horner accused Hamilton of endangering Verstappen’s life in the 180mph collision.

Lord Peter Hain, Vice-Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Formula One and Labour peer, told Express.co.uk that Horner will regret these comments.

He said: “I think Christian will regret what we said, he hasn’t repeated it, and let’s hope it is never repeated, because it was a racing incident and Max takes no prisoners on the racing circuit.

“Competitive rivalry is good for the sport. It is also good for us fans, but it must never get bitter and out of order as I think happened with those comments from Christian Horner.”

Source: Read Full Article