Red Bull reveals $1.8million Verstappen crash cost

Sam Hall
Friday 23 July 2021 20:10

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has revealed the startling cost of Max Verstappen's 51g Silverstone crash stating it will have "massive ramifications in a budget cap era".

Verstappen went wheel to wheel with Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap of the British Grand Prix with the pair banging wheels on numerous occasions before contact at Copse fired the Dutchman into the tyre barriers.

Hamilton was handed a 10-second penalty for his part in the incident but was able to fight back to claim victory with a war of words following between Horner and his Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff.

In his Red Bull column, Horner said: "It is no secret that we felt at the time, and still feel, that Hamilton was given a light penalty for this type of incident

"Given the severity of the incident and the lenient penalty, we are reviewing all data and have the right to request a review. We are therefore still looking at the evidence and considering all of our sporting options.

"The other significant factor is the cost-cap element of this. That crash has cost us approximately $1.8million and an accident like that has massive ramifications in a budget cap era."

Verstappen not an aggressive driver

Both Horner and Wolff were as protective as they were defensive of their drivers in the aftermath of the incident but the Red Bull boss took the opportunity to clarify some of his comments after being accused of making things personal.

He added: "I would like to respond to some comments I have seen from Toto, who is quoted as saying our comments regarding Hamilton having caused the accident were “so personal”.

"I would like to make it clear. This was an on-track incident between two of the best drivers in the world.

"At the point in time when you have a driver in hospital and the extent of any injuries have not yet been made clear, your car has been written off and the stewards have penalised the driver seen to be responsible, it is natural that emotion comes into play, for all involved, whether you feel wronged or victorious.

"I also felt the narrative that Max was being ‘overly aggressive’ at that stage was unjustified.

"You only have to look at the fact Max has zero penalty points on his licence and has not been found guilty of any on-track misjudgements in recent years.

"The aggressive 17-year-old F1 rookie Max Verstappen that Hamilton is referring to is not the Max Verstappen of today, just as Hamilton is not the same driver he was when he entered the sport.

"Both drivers are of course uncompromising in their driving style, but they are both highly skilled drivers with a great deal of experience.

"The reality is that Hamilton has met his match in a car that is now competitive, and I agree that both drivers need to show each other respect, but Hamilton was the aggressor on Sunday."