Mercedes chief Toto Wolff slams Red Bull for below the belt Lewis Hamilton complaints

F1: Verstappen and Hamilton verbally spar

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Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, has hit back at Red Bull as the to-and-fro continues in the wake of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s dramatic collision at the British Grand Prix. Voices from the Red Bull camp have been persistent in their criticism of Hamilton, who they feel earned an unfair victory at Silverstone.

The title challengers came wheel-to-wheel when Hamilton attempted an audacious pass at Copse on the opening lap.

The seven-time world champion had been all over Verstappen from the off, although he was not quite level when the contact was made.

Hamilton was handed a 10-second penalty for his role in the incident, although that pales in comparison to Verstappen’s punishment in terms of his race for the crown.

Having been sent hurtling into the tyre wall at high speed, the 23-year-old was promptly taken to hospital after being severely winded, with his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship cut from 33 points to eight. 

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Meanwhile, Hamilton staged a dramatic comeback after serving his penalty to claim victory and close the gap on his fallen rival.

In his latest shot towards Red Bull, Wolff said: “We felt the comments that were made during and after the race, and then in written statements and in the meeting itself were below the belt.

“But it’s not up to me, nor would Lewis want to demand any apologies.”

Tensions ran extremely high after Hamilton took the chequered flag, with Christian Horner labelling his triumph a ‘hollow victory’.

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In a similar vein, Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko called for the Brit to serve a one-race suspension.

A brief hiatus in the tensions was next after Hamilton was subjected to racist abuse on social media, which Red Bull publicly denounced in solidarity with the 36-year-old.

However, once the dust settled, Horner had more choice words for Hamilton via his column, stating: “The reality is that Hamilton has met his match in a car that is now competitive, and I agree that both drivers need to show each other respect, but Hamilton was the aggressor on Sunday.”

Clearly there is still anger in both camps after they experienced drastically differing weekends at Silverstone.

The results has left Verstappen eight points ahead in the Drivers’ Championship, and Red Bull four points ahead in the Constructors’ Championship.

The rivalry is set to reignite in Hungary, where Verstappen has already gone fastest in the opening practice session.

Without a doubt, the Dutchman will be forced to dig deep in order to ensure that the 2021 pendulum swings back his way.

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