Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen both accused of ‘cracking under pressure’

Lewis Hamilton's 'natural ability is fantastic' says Button

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Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have both been accused of ‘cracking under pressure.’ The two drivers are locked in an intense battle for the Drivers’ Championship, with just five points separating them in the standings.

The next race will take place in Sochi this weekend – a very successful track for Mercedes who have won there eight times.

Hamilton will have an advantage with Verstappen handed a three-place grid penalty following his role in the collision between the pair at the Italian Grand Prix.

Now chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association Alex Wurz believes both drivers are succumbing to the immense pressure of competing for one of the most prestigious titles in sport.

“There will be a conversation but you have to separate yourself from being in the car and making such decisions,” he said.

“They’re only humans, and they were angry, both of them because of bad pitstops and how the race unfolded, and you know you only have one opportunity.

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“In this case maybe to an extent both cracked under this pressure and came together.”

Wurz deemed the collisions at the British and Italian Grand Prix as “racing incidents” and provided an insight into Hamilton and Verstappen’s relationship with one another.

The Austrian added: “Outside the car I talk to both and they talk to each other, and they have great respect for each other, which is really nice to see.

“But on the other side, on the track it’s, ‘hey, we are here to fight, we are here to win the Formula 1 world championship’. It’s one of the most prestigious titles you can have in the world of sport.

“They have to fight, it’s part of the game. Hopefully with the respect they need for their own team and their own results, and not only for each other, because to finish first you have to finish, so they can’t afford too many crashes.”

The former F1 driver also believes the pair are “likely” to crash again due to their fierce rivalry.

“I think [it’s] very likely, to be honest,” said Wurz. “Both have to mark their territory.

“That’s sport, if you watch boxing, football, handball, whatever there is – when two greats are coming together, those things happen.”

His thoughts were echoed by Ross Brawn, who documented his thoughts on the mouthwatering title clash in his latest column.

“You’ve got two cockerels in the farmyard at the moment and we are seeing the consequence of it,”  F1’s managing director of motorsport penned.

“I don’t think either will back off at any moment for the rest of the year but I hope the championship is won on the track not in the barriers or the stewards room.”

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