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Max Verstappen has blamed Lewis Hamilton for the contact that occurred between the pair on lap 2 of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The duo battled into Turn 1, with Verstappen attempting to overtake Hamilton up the inside.
However, the two made contact which constantly punctured the left rear tyre on Verstappen's car. The Dutchman confirmed that further damage was done to his Red Bull, but says that he left the room for Hamilton, who simply drove into him.
"I had a good run onto the straight,” Verstappen said “Going for the inside, at one point under braking I was next to him. Going into the corner I was ahead. And then of course you always try to squeeze each other a bit. But i think there was still enough space on the left. He drove into my left-rear, gave me a puncture and also destroyed the diff.”
The stewards investigated the incident but took no further action after deeming it a racing incident. When asked if he thought that the stewards made the right decision in relation to the clash, Verstappen replied: "From my side, not. But at the end of the day even if they would do something my race is anyway finished."
Blame all you want, it takes two for a tango. And this time, I think it was so equal that it counts as a racing incident. A pity Verstappen had to retire because of it, mind.
Absolutely agree. This was a racing incident. At a time when everyone asks for less stewart intervention, it's frustrating to see drivers asking for penalties on a racing incident.
The only reason why I could think a penalty could be beneficial in this scenario is so that they sort of got an equal outcome, since Hammy basically benefitted from the incident, but other than that nah, no penalty required. And this is coming from someone who really isnt fond of Hammy.
If it was the other way around than there would have been an penalty given. However because it's an Mercedes they would not give an penalty. Off course it's an racing incident but it was Hamilton whom destroyed Verstappens race and no penalty was given. Let's hope that they are consistent this year...
I'm all for some Hamilton bashing, but he is not to blame for this. At all.
The Dutch loose canon needs to look in the mirror, and get his act together again.
I suggest you watch it again. Verstappen is leaving Hamilton no room. Hamilton even backs off a little, but unless he wants to go off track, there's nowhere for him to go.
The fact remains that Verstappen fucked up in Melbourne, as well as in qualifying yesterday, and now in the race. We can call this a race incident if that makes you feel any better - but Verstappen still had his race ruined due to something that could've easily been avoided had he been smart.
Ok watched it again. Hamilton had enough room to back out but he didn't. He was beaten into the corner already but didn't give it up and caused the collision after the apex. How can verstappen be at fault since he is already in front of Hamilton? Every time Hamilton gets challenged he responds with an move yet never gets penalised. Hamilton at fault here he got lucky that he didn't damage his tire caused by his stubbornness to try and retain position on the exit of the corner.
It was a racing incident. I am shocked to see people calling for penalties over hard racing, and Max implying that somehow the decision was affected because he was involved.
The point is that those penalties are only handed out against certain drivers. The move that verstappen made was good. And when you are in front of the guy you overtake their are responsibilities for that driver as well. Hamilton didn't except those and that is why Verstappen went out. It was a defining moment that pointed out the weakness in Hamilton. He still didn't except that responsibility after and had a good moan and resorted to insults. We saw the same kind of driving/behaviour against Alonso/Rosberg.
Hamilton and Max were equally wrong, they both had the possibility to avoid a collision. Hope the stewards keep up the fact not to penalize in this cases. It was bad luck for Max and Lewis was lucky he kept his front wing.
MAXimum Maldonado! Went in too hot, ran wide (miles from where he should be to line up for the next corner) and essentially ran into Hamilton. That guy is dangerous and the support he receives is largely just due to his nationality.
All drivers try to push the other to the outside. Both drivers were trying it to the limit and Hamilton wasn't into it to give Max more room and Max kept trying to push him outside. Nothing Maldonado here, if this is dangerous driving, all drivers can go home.
Racing incident and bad luck - Senna-esque move
Ham calls it a lack of respect... but also calls Ver a dickhead a little earlier.
So I guess he wants oneway respect only, don' t attack the world champ BS.
Racing accident, Max could have made more room, Lewis could have backed out more. They both didn't. Max was punished for it by mechanical failure, Lewis is hurt in his guts because he got beaten by an RB on a straight and was lucky to keep his front wing.
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I suggest you watch it again. Verstappen is leaving Hamilton no room. Hamilton even backs off a little, but unless he wants to go off track, there's nowhere for him to go.
The fact remains that Verstappen fucked up in Melbourne, as well as in qualifying yesterday, and now in the race. We can cal... [Read more]