Lewis Hamilton claims ‘rule breaker’ Max Verstappen risking danger with extreme driving

Lewis Hamilton goes undercover to inspire school children (LONG VERSION)

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Lewis Hamilton has singled out title rival Max Verstappen as one of the most “over-the-limit” drivers he has ever faced in his motorsport career. The Briton also accused the Red Bull star of being a racer who “doesn’t think the rules apply”, and said he was relieved he managed to “live to fight another day” amid the chaos which took place at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Hamilton’s comments came just a few minutes after the conclusion of the race in Jeddah, which saw the two title rivals involved in yet more controversial moments.

There was a flashpoint when Verstappen overtook off the track as the race was restarted after a red flag, but both escaped unscathed and Red Bull ceded the position back to the Mercedes star.

Another big crash saw the race stopped again, and this time the restart worked in Verstappen’s favour as he darted up the inside to take the lead at the first corner.

The Dutchman managed to keep his rival at arm’s length until lap 38, when Hamilton tried a move – again at turn one – which saw both drivers off the racing track as Verstappen defended aggressively.

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He was told to give the position back by his team and slowed down almost immediately, but it proved to be too quick as Hamilton seemed not to have been informed that it was going to happen.

So the Mercedes man slammed on his brakes but was too late as Hamilton clipped the back of Verstappen’s car, taking damage to his car.

Hamilton however still went on to win the race as his rival was given a five-second penalty for the earlier illegal overtake and struggled with his tyres. But the Brit was furious about the incident when asked about it after the race.

“I really had to try to keep my cool out there, which was really difficult to do,” he told Sky Sports. “I didn’t get the information so I didn’t really understand what was going on – it was very confusing.

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“He started backing up and then moving a little bit so I wondered: ‘Is he trying to play some crazy tactic?’ I don’t know.

“But then the message started coming through as he hit the brakes so hard and I nearly hit the back of him and took us both out. For him it doesn’t matter if we both don’t finish – for me, we both need to finish.”

The Briton pulled level on points with his rival with his victory, setting up a mouth-watering final race in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

But the confirmation of three wins in a row didn’t stop Hamilton from raging about Verstappen, who he claimed is one of the most overly-aggressive drivers he has ever faced.

“I’ve raced a lot of drivers through my life – in 28 years I’ve come across a lot of different characters,” the man hunting his eighth world title added.

“There are a few at the top who are over the limit – they don’t think the rules apply. Today I just tried to do my talking on the track, keep my car between the white lines and do it the right way.

“There were so many crazy curveballs sent, and then he brake-tested, I think to try to get the DRS into the last corner to overtake me again back into turn one.

“[Verstappen] is over the limit for sure. I’ve avoided collision on so many occasions with the guy. I don’t always mind being the one that does that, because you live to fight another day.”

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