Mercedes "disrespectful" British GP win reaction "shows how they really are" - Max Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton viert zijn overwinning op Silverstone. — Photo: © LAT Images

Hungarian Grand Prix

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Mercedes "disrespectful" British GP win reaction "shows how they really are" - Verstappen

Verstappen claims the gloves were always off in Hamilton title fight

Ian Parkes & Sam Hall

Thursday 29 July 2021 16:00 Updated: 16:10

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Max Verstappen has criticised Mercedes for revealing "how they really are" after celebrating Lewis Hamilton's British Grand Prix victory whilst the Dutchman was in hospital.

Hamilton fought back to win at Silverstone despite being hit with a 10-second penalty after colliding with Verstappen on the opening lap of the race.

Ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen has explained his post-race comments in which he condemned the victory celebrations as "disrespectful and unsportsmanlike".

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“When one guy is in the hospital and the other one is waving the flag around like nothing has happened…you pushed the guy into the wall with 51g," said an unhappy Verstappen.

“Not only that, just the whole reaction of the team besides that. That is not how you celebrate a win, especially not a win how they got it.

“That is what I found really disrespectful and in a way, it shows how they really are. It came out after a pressured situation but I wouldn’t want to be seen like that.”

After Hamilton had been informed Verstappen had been taken to hospital following the crash, the Mercedes driver said he would make contact with his championship rival.

Confirming this conversation took place, Verstappen added: “He did call me. I don’t need to go into details about that but we did have a chat.

“The relationship…at the end of the day, we are racers. We just keep on going. Of course, I am not happy with what happened there but we just keep on pushing.

“We are still fighting for the championship together and we will race in the best manner going forward. At least from my side."

Hamilton penalty should be more severe - Verstappen

Verstappen has also criticised the leniency of the penalty that failed to deter Hamilton from going on to claim what was his eighth British GP success.

Red Bull has since called for a review of the penalty that is to be heard by the Hungarian GP stewards, claiming they have new evidence.

Taking another slight dig at Mercedes and Hamilton, Verstappen added: “We are still fighting for the championship together and we will race in the best manner going forward - at least from my side.

“I don’t think the penalty was correct because basically you take out your main rival and especially with the speed we have in our cars.

"We are miles ahead of the third-best team. We are easily 40-50 seconds ahead in normal conditions.

“So a 10-second penalty doesn’t do anything so definitely that penalty should have been more severe.”