Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes Formula 1 driver expressed his concerns over the stewards statement that he “could have done more” to avoid crash with Verstappen at Hungarian Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen went into air and lost two places with joining the track behind Charles Leclerc, Ferrari driver.
The FIA authorities investigated the late hour incident at Budapest as pure racing event. It cleared both drivers of any fault after a post race debrief from them. It warranted no penalty for either of them or additional investigation of the event.
The stewards checked the telemetry data of both cars and dismissed Verstappen’s claim of “a typical case of ‘changing direction under braking”. Additionally, it stated that Hamilton “could have done more to avoid the collision”.
“Accordingly, we determine that no driver was predominantly to blame,” stated FIA decision on the matter.
Hamilton expressed surprise on the matter and said: “Yes, very much so. I was really surprised by it.
“Already I was very relaxed about the situation, saying, ‘look, it’s just a racing incident, let’s just move on’.
“But considering one car was in control and one car was not in control at the time… obviously when all the wheels are locked, you’re not in control.
“If you look at the replay, at the end of the whole move I’m very far from the apex. So, I’ve left a lot of room on the right-hand side. I really was very surprised.
“I don’t know who typed it up, but probably, yeah that will be a question when I speak to them at some stage.”
Hamilton and Verstappen shooked hands after the race in Hungary and expressed their intention to discuss the matter further. The British driver expressed his willingness to “break the ice” with Verstappen.
Verstappen hinted at Spa on Thursday that “we explained our vision and after that, we went home”, but Hamilton claimed, “no, we didn’t talk afterwards” .
“We went to the stewards and that’s it,” the British world champion added. “We’ve not had [a] talk. I don’t know if we will. If we get time, maybe we’ll talk on the [drivers’] parade this weekend – maybe.
“I’ve not felt like there’s nec d, essarily a need to, but it might be something he wants to say. But we didn’t get the time to do it [yet].”
