Max Verstappen’s sarcastic reply after warning for ‘unsportsmanlike’ Lewis Hamilton clash
F1: Verstappen and Hamilton verbally spar
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Max Verstappen delivered a sarcastic response over the team radio after he was informed of his black and white flag warning for antics against Lewis Hamilton. The pair were embroiled in a fierce battle for the lead, and the Dutchman received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct after weaving on a straight.
Hamilton eventually pipped Verstappen in the closing stages of the race, but only after a captivating clash between the title competitors.
In the lead-up to Hamilton’s overtake, Verstappen attempted to keep the Brit at bay by weaving on a straight.
He subsequently received a black and white flag, signalling a warning for unsportsmanlike behaviour.
When his team relayed that information over the radio, the Dutchman responded: “Yeah perfect, say hi.”
In the end, it was a Sunday to forget for Verstappen who spurned a golden opportunity to extend his Championship lead.
Hamilton was forced to start from the back of Saturday’s qualifying sprint, working his way up to fifth in just 24 laps.
However, an earlier decision to change power unit meant another five-place grid penalty, leaving the seven-time champion needing to fight his way up from 10th on Sunday.
Thanks to some early heroics, he promptly found himself behind Verstappen as the title rivals did battle in first and second, with Hamilton eventually coming out on top.
That was only after the pair almost collided on lap 48, with Verstappen appearing to close the door on Hamilton in a manner which forced both drivers off the track.
Stewards took a close look at the incident, before deciding that no punishment was necessary.
Hamilton’s straight-line speed advantage was apparent in the proceeding laps though, and when he finally got into range, he flew past the Dutchman and sped off into the distance to claim victory.
Given the disadvantages Mercedes had to battle through in Sao Paulo, it will come as a bitter blow to Verstappen and team boss Christian Horner that the Silver Arrows claimed an impressed first and third.
Having arrived in Sao Paulo with a 19-point lead, that has now been cut to 14 before the drivers head to Qatar next weekend.
Mercedes also extend their narrow advantage in the Constructors’ Championship, which stood at just one point before Saturday’s sprint.
Just when it looked as though Verstappen was edging closer to his first world title, an epic battle in Brazil looks to reignited the race once again.
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