.....Jolyon Palmer might have been an F1 (average) driver but if he seriously believes that was .. a "racing incident He even goes as far as to say Hamilton squeezed him the kerb and turned in... What was he watching? "No action required" stated the stewards on turn 2 lap one when MV pushed Hamilton off track. Amazing how the 'Wonderboy"MV gets away with it every time. Seeing the slo-mo replays Hamilton can thank the fact Halo is fitted on cars now otherwise he could have been seriously injured or worse. MV reckless and impetuous as usual. Doesn't learn and even radio'd his pit to say " that's what happens when you don't leave enough room" in effect blaming Hamilton for the incident. I have no doubt he will get away with it since his father seems to carry clout with those in power. Sonner or later Verstappen is going to seriously injure someone (or worse) with his bullying 'get out of my way' driving style. ...
Max was amped up, out of control, and showed his inexperience and inability to control himself emotionally. His first time challenging for the title and it shows. Swearing in the pit Lane, swearing on the radio, and then immediately afterwards refuses to back down on a corner where Hamilton didn’t have anywhere to go other than just drive wide and let him through. Max at fault and acting like a petulant teenager. Didn’t even have the maturity to check if Lewis was ok after driving his car over his head. Also ruined what was going to be an even more fascinating race than it already is.
Though I will add Hamilton trying to drive the car away while max was still sat on top him was very dangerous.
I didn’t think of that at the time. Assumed he was trying to drive away as Max stormed off but I think you’re right and he tried straight after the collision - imagine if he’d have been successful and flipped Max on his head? Dangerous if that’s how it happened.
Easy for me to judge with a clam head he wouldn't have know the extent of his damage and would have been thinking he could get back in the points. But he did appear to try while Max was still in the car and realistically even once max had moved away still very dangerous to try. To be honest I would rather no penalty come from it, it was a unusual set of circumstances Hamilton out of the pits max straight up behind him into the corner. Hamilton could have left more room, Max could have backed out. But it's racing at the end of the day and I wouldn't say it was clear cut. Let them race its more fun to watch.
Lewis was very lucky to escape from that incident with his life. That's no exaggeration. Had Max been on the throttle, the tyre that is at one point on Hamilton's head, would have probably snapped his neck. Thankfully, they are both okay. Again, the Halo proving its worth. Says a lot though, that Lewis still thought about getting back on track, completely unaware of the damage to his rear wing amongst other things. Verstappen had a shocker of a pit stop, saw him end up behind Lewis as he (Lewis) came back out of the pit lane, and saw an opportunity to either force his way through in that one moment, at best, or at worst, he takes them both out and he retains his lead of the Championship. It's as simple as that for me. These two refuse to give an inch. It's probably dangerous. But it's like Senna and Prost all over again. I love it. Buzzing anyway for Danny Ric and Lando, and McLaren for a long-overdue win and one-two.
Was never going to end well as we knew Max was furious from his radio messages. As I say hopefully no penalty to either and we get on with the racing.
I think MV needs his wing clipping though... Not just because of this incident but the number of 'racing incidents' he seems to be involved in (and getas way with). He is impervious to criticism. Not to say Hamilton did not have his fair share in his younger days but I don't believe he was quite the on track 'bully' that Verstappen is (not helped by the toxic RBR leadership from Christian Horner and Helmut Marko) Disliked the way he we walked past Hamilton still in his car without even a glance to see if he was OK.
Interesting to watch the interviews Horner saying it’s a racing incident and maybe Lewis should have left a bigger gap. And you can’t apportion blame. Toto clear Max was at fault. And De Resta almost arguing that because lewis left a bit of space Max had to go for it. So by that logic Lewis should have forced Max off (like Max did to lewis first lap) Expect the stewards to bottle it but for me I like the tactical foul. Max went for it knowing Lewis either had to get out of his way or there was a good chance both would be taken out.
It's a tricky one. Verstappen could have backed out but Lewis should leave enough room and he didn't. I don't think either will get a penalty
In favour of Lewis. He's argued with diresta, Massa, the other one who's name I can't think of. Just constantly interrupting ",so where's the gap. Wheres the gap where's the gap where's the gap". In a pub I wouldn't be surprised if he'd been hit. And when I say constantly there wasn't a single pause between his repeating of the three words it was one long sentence where's the gap "where's the gap where's the gap where's the gap" while Massa was trying to talk