Hamilton Verstappen crash under review following petition to FIA

Lap-one collision at Silverstone under further scrutiny

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 27 July 2021 15:26 Updated: 16:43

The FIA is to formally look into Lewis Hamilton's British Grand Prix collision with Max Verstappen after Red Bull lodged a petition to review.

The two drivers, along with team representatives, have been summoned to report to the stewards at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix for a video conference meeting on Thursday, July 29, at 3pm BST.

Under the regulations, for the matter to be considered further, significant and relevant new elements need to be introduced, that were unavailable at the time, for the stewards to consider any further penalty beyond the 10 seconds that was applied during the race at Silverstone.

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Statements from the stewards to the team managers of both Red Bull and Mercedes read: "In accordance with Art. 14 of the International Sporting Code, and following the petition for review by Red Bull Racing Honda, lodged on the 23 July 2021, the team manager and such witnesses as the competitor may request, up to three attendees in total including the team manager, are required to appear via video conference (invitation by separate cover) at 16:00hrs CEST on Thursday, 29 July 2021.

"The names and positions of all attendees that the competitor intends to request attend must be provided in writing no later than 17:00hrs CEST on Wednesday, 28 July 2021 to the stewards' secretary."

Article 14 of the International Sporting Code relates to the right of review.

It is understood Red Bull will cite the fact that they have evidence Hamilton entered Copse at his fastest compared to any of the previous 51 laps that followed, and this resulted in an inevitable collision.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was highly scathing of Hamilton after the race, describing as "desperate", "dangerous" and "an amateur".

Horner was also fuming at what he felt at the time was a lenient punishment for the seven-time champion of a 10-second time penalty that failed to deter him from winning an eighth British GP.

The incident saw Hamilton attempt a move on Verstappen into the 180mph Copse corner, leading the front-left wheel of the Briton's Mercedes hitting the right-rear of Verstappen's Red Bull.

That sent the Dutch driver spearing into a barrier at 150mph and with an impact force of 51g, leading to damage Horner claims has cost the team $1.8million.

Mercedes also has its evidence to negate Red Bull's claims.

Mercedes may yet point to an incident in last year's Portuguese Grand Prix when Verstappen attempted a move up the inside of Lance Stroll - then driving for Racing Point - into turn one of the Portimão circuit.

It was highly reminiscent of what unfolded at Silverstone, with Verstappen's left-front wheel hitting the right-rear of Stroll's car, sending the Canadian into the gravel.

Horner's comments to Sky Sports on that occasion are telling as he said at the time: "If that were a race, Max would have been deemed to be up the inside and the car on the outside should have given way."