Verstappen - Hamilton's British GP Celebrations 'Disrespectful'

Calum Gill 22:38 18/07/2021

Max Verstappen has described title rival Lewis Hamilton's celebrations after winning the British Grand Prix as 'disrespectful and unsportsmanlike'.

The pair collided at the 190mph Copse corner on the opening lap of Hamilton's home race, sending Dutchman Verstappen into the tyre barriers at high speed. Hamilton went on to win the race after passing Ferrari's Charles Leclerc at the very same corner with two laps to go, after battling back from a ten second time penalty and a subsequent drop down to fourth place.

Verstappen tweeted out at 18:46 BST to say that he was OK after the crash. He then went on to say that "The penalty given does not help us and doesn’t do justice to the dangerous move Lewis made on track." Furthermore, the Red Bull driver said that "Watching the celebrations while still in hospital is disrespectful and unsportsmanlike behavior but we move on."

Verstappen was taken to a local hospital for precautionary checks on his head and neck upon recommendation from the doctors at the Silverstone Circuit Medical Centre. He has since been cleared of injury, and wrote on his twitter account: "Cleared from the hospital after all the checks were ok. Thank you to everyone for all the nice messages and best wishes."

Hamilton on the other hand was adamant that the collision was down to Verstappen not leaving him any room, saying that he was sufficiently alongside the Dutchman as they turned into Copse. “I always try to be measured in how I approach, particularly with dicing with Max, he is very aggressive,” said Hamilton. “Today I was fully alongside him and he didn’t let me have the space. But regardless of whether I agree with the penalty I take it on the chin and I just kept working.”

“I was like I’m not going to let anything get in the way of the crowd’s enjoyment of the weekend and the national anthem and a British flag,” said Hamilton of his response to getting the penalty. 

This is Hamilton's first win since the Spanish Grand Prix in May, ending a drought of five races without a visit to the top step of the podium. The victory also cuts Verstappen's lead in the championship from 33 points down to 8 points. Hamilton had also been fastest in qualifying on Friday evening, suggesting that the upgrade package brought by Mercedes to this event has had an effect on closing the gap between Red Bull and Mercedes.

The next race is in Hungary over the weekend of the 30 July - 1 August. It will NOT be used as a 'sprint' trial event.