Max Verstappen will not stoop to "stupidities" to take revenge on Hamilton - Helmut Marko

Verstappen krijgt felicitaties van Hamilton na sprintrace bij British GP — Photo: © LAT Images

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Verstappen will not stoop to "stupidities" to take revenge on Hamilton - Marko

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 20 July 2021 11:37

Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko is adamant Max Verstappen will not be aiming for revenge on Lewis Hamilton when the F1 title rivals next meet on track.

Marko has confirmed Verstappen is remarkably suffering from nothing more than a stiff neck following his 150mph, 51g crash on lap one of the British Grand Prix after making contact with Hamilton's Mercedes at Copse corner.

The friendly rivalry that existed between the pair has now given way to animosity as Hamilton has declared Verstappen to be aggressive, while the Dutch driver said the seven-time champion was "disrespectful and unsportsmanlike" given his post-race celebrations while he was in hospital.

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Marko has made clear, however, there will be no reprisals from Verstappen towards Hamilton from the Hungarian Grand Prix onwards.

“He will do everything in his power to win the world title,” Marko said, speaking to Osterreich newspaper. “But we will certainly not look for revenge or any other stupidities. We don’t go to that level.”

Marko has criticised Mercedes and team boss Toto Wolff for their reactions during the race, notably the post-race celebrations and the latter's "lobbying" of the stewards, according to Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.

"That's the way it is with Mercedes," added Marko. "Mr Wolff had no business with the stewards either.

"Austria [football] coach Franco Foda does not go to the video referees at a match and explain his personal point of view to them."

No Red Bull appeal of Hamilton penalty

Marko has suggested Red Bull will not be launching an appeal against the 10-second time penalty handed to Hamilton by the stewards, despite all inside the team believing it to be far too lenient a punishment.

"That would require new evidence," said Marko. "But everyone saw what was going on.

"I ask myself: does it take more than [new evidence] to drive the front wheel into the opponent's rear wheel?"

Marko has also strongly dismissed Charles Leclerc's claim it was a racing incident given the Ferrari driver had a bird's eye view in following the two protagonists.

"No!" asserted Marko. "Hamilton would never have made it around the corner with his line at his speed. It was way too far inside."

Marko has at least reported Verstappen to be relatively fit and well, adding: "Such an impact at 51g is no joke. The fact Max survived it shows how well trained he is.

"He's back in Monte Carlo, his physio is working with him. He still complains of a stiff neck, but otherwise, he's doing surprisingly well.

"I would have thought he would be unable to move for a couple of days."