Breaking news
Formula 1
Verstappen: Easy for Hamilton to blame the younger driver
Max Verstappen thinks Lewis Hamilton only criticised him for their Bahrain Grand Prix clash because it was "simple and easy" to blame the younger driver.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Apr 12, 2018, 10:17 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Hamilton was caught on camera after the Sakhir race labelling Verstappen a "dickhead" for his part in a coming together the pair had at Turn 1 in the early stages of the race.
Verstappen is adamant that he did nothing wrong, though, and suggests that Hamilton's stance was prompted because the Dutchman is not as experienced in F1.
When asked ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix why he felt Hamilton had a go at him, Verstappen said: "Why? Because it is quite simple and easy to blame the younger driver, that is the only way I can see it.
"Like I said, these things happen. There is no reason for me to change anything."
Verstappen has not spoken to Hamilton since Bahrain, but suggested he may choose to chat to the Mercedes driver this weekend.
However, he is convinced that his approach to racing will not be altered by the incident that ultimately put him out of the race.
"I might have a talk with him," explained Verstappen. "It depends if it is really necessary, but why should I change something?
"I don't think I did anything wrong in my approach. I was just trying to overtake a car and it was a fair chance, I went for it.
"Last year in Mexico it could have gone wrong as well, maybe for me or another car. It is racing. It is very simple. I don't understand why everyone is on top of the topic as these things happen in racing."
Renault woes
Verstappen's clash with Hamilton in Bahrain came as the result of a charge through the field that was needed after a qualifying crash caused by an unspecified problem with his Renault engine.
With teammate Daniel Ricciardo retiring from Bahrain with an electrical problem, there remain fresh doubts about the progress that Renault has made with reliability over the course of the winter.
But Verstappen says he has faith that the French car manufacturer is doing all it can to improve matters.
"From Daniel's car in the race, he had the problem quite similar to me in Canada [last year], and in testing I think as well this year," he said.
"It is definitely something to look into, but what can you do about it? It is something Renault needs to sort out and they are working really hard.
"They are trying their very best to provide us with the best equipment here. I am not too worried about it if it happens. If it happens you cannot prevent it."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article How McLaren has followed Red Bull's Ferrari copy
Next article Gasly: Alonso radio joke was to credit Honda
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Lewis Hamilton
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Formula 1
Formula 1 25 min
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"
More from
Red Bull Racing
Tsolov named Red Bull, Racing Bulls reserve driver after missing out on 2027 F1 race seat
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
18 h
Tsolov named Red Bull, Racing Bulls reserve driver after missing out on 2027 F1 race seat
Max Verstappen explains why he’s so good in the rain in Brazil
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
Max Verstappen explains why he’s so good in the rain in Brazil
Latest news
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 25 min
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
IndyCar 2026 season review: ECR
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 16 h
IndyCar 2026 season review: ECR
Toto Wolff reflects on Mercedes’ non-title years: ‘We weren’t complete losers’
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
16 h
Toto Wolff reflects on Mercedes’ non-title years: ‘We weren’t complete losers’
Renger van der Zande moves to IMSA’s LMP2 class full-time with Tower Motorsports
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 17 h
Renger van der Zande moves to IMSA’s LMP2 class full-time with Tower Motorsports
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe