Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes Formula 1 driver, characterized his racing and crash with Max Verstappen as “hair raising” in Hungarian Grand Prix.
The British driver claims the crash as racing incident, which Stewards at FIA agreed. However, they insisted that the driver could have done more to avoid the crash.
Both world champions have a history of crashing while competing each other. This time it happened at the final stages of Budapest race, which Oscar Piastri – McLaren driver – won.
McLaren’s Lando Norris kept his position against Verstappen, which pushed the latter off the track. He joined back at his 2nd place but he had to switch places to avoid any penalty.
The Dutchman maintained third place on the grid with two stop strategy. However, his second pit stop stripped him of his advantage pushing him back at fifth. He surpassed Charles Leclerc, Ferrari driver, but Hamilton handled the pressure.
The situation created another battle between the two champions with 8 laps to go. Verstappen attach the Hamilton to gain his position back with locked tyres where both drivers collided.
Verstappen went into air and rejoined fifth on track, where he finished his race.
“Ultimately, we didn’t have the pace of the McLarens, or did we have the pace of the Red Bulls,” Hamilton said.
“But we were just able to hold on at the beginning of the race. It was very tough to hold on and make those tyres last.
“Obviously the close battle we had at the end was a bit hair-raising. But that’s motor racing. I’m really happy and grateful for the points. Big thank you for the team.”
Asked if Hamilton felt the race as “nerve-racking” to which he replied: “It’s not nerve-racking.
“I think it when you see the pace at which they closed the gap in certain corners, you just laugh to yourself because it’s not something that I can do.
“Particularly the last sector they were very strong – same as the McLarens. I saw him coming from a long way back and he was able to brake a lot later than me.
“But, he sent it up the inside, I stayed still and he clipped the wheel and went over. So, I think a racing incident.”
