Max Verstappen on Lewis Hamilton skirmish: Rules 'clearly not followed'

Australian Grand Prix

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Verstappen on Hamilton skirmish: Rules 'clearly not followed'

Verstappen believes he was unfairly treated by his Mercedes rival

Ewan Gale

Sunday 2 April 2023 10:05 Updated: 10:11

Max Verstappen has suggested 'rules were not followed' in his battle with Lewis Hamilton at the Australian Grand Prix.

The Dutchman lost out to both Mercedes drivers at the start of the race, with Hamilton lunging to the inside at turn three.

The seven-time world champion edged Verstappen wide of the apex, though the Red Bull remained on track throughout the skirmish.

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Verstappen recovered to clinch his first win in Australia and second of the season, surviving a controversial end-of-race red flag that triggered carnage behind.

Recounting his race, the two-time champion conceded: "We had a very poor start.

"I was careful because I had a lot to lose and they had a lot to win.

"I think the pace of the car was quick, you could see that straight away, we were always there waiting for the DRS to open up but with these red flags, I don't know.

"The first one, you can do it but that second one, I don't really understand.

"It was a bit of a mess, but we survived everything, we had good pace in the car again and we won, which is the most important."