Toto Wolff recognises "polarising" aspect of Lewis Hamilton Max Verstappen collision

Toto Wolff at the Styrian Grand Prix — Photo: © LAT Images

Mercedes

Wolff recognises "polarising" aspect of Hamilton Verstappen collision

Incident has faced a petition to review from Red Bull

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 27 July 2021 16:44

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff recognises the collision between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen has been "very polarising" as it now heads to a stewards review.

Red Bull has requested a petition to review the lap-one incident at the British Grand Prix in which Verstappen was sent crashing into a barrier at Copse corner at 150mph and with an impact force of 51g.

That will now see Hamilton and Verstappen appear in a video conference with the stewards of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix on Thursday, alongside team representatives.

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For the stewards to pursue the matter, Red Bull will need to introduce significant and relevant new evidence.

Looking back on what has unfolded since the incident, Wolff said: "Everyone has their own opinion on the events of Silverstone, and it was a very polarising incident.

"However, the most important thing is that Max is okay. It's never nice to see a car crashing, particularly at such high speeds and at a corner like that, so we're glad he emerged from the accident unscathed."

Hungaroring "beast" to suit Red Bull

Hamilton went on to win his eighth British GP to close the gap to Verstappen to just eight points, while Mercedes is four behind Red Bull in the constructors' standings.

Wolff, however, has sounded a word of warning ahead of this weekend's final race before the summer break in Hungary.

The tight, twisty nature of the Hungaroring should suit Red Bull's RB16B despite Wolff being encouraged by the pace of the W12 at Silverstone.

Although Wolff is "looking to keep that momentum going", he added: "We know how fine the margins are this season and how the advantage is swaying from one team to the other at each race.

"Us and Red Bull looked very closely matched at Silverstone and Ferrari were very quick, and now the battle moves onto the next round and a very different track. "The Hungaroring is a high-downforce, tight and twisty circuit. Almost like a large version of a go-kart track.

"Hungary will therefore be a different beast compared to the last race, and it is a track that will likely suit our competitors more, but we'll give it all we've got."