Lewis Hamilton reveals "sore neck" after scary Max Verstappen crash

Verstappen en Hamilton crashen in Monza, Italië. — Photo: © LAT Images

Italian Grand Prix

Hamilton reveals "sore neck" after scary Verstappen crash

The championship rivals clashed on lap 26 at Monza

Ewan Gale

Sunday 12 September 2021 17:20

Lewis Hamilton revealed to having a sore neck after the scary incident with Max Verstappen that left both in the gravel at the Italian Grand Prix.

The Mercedes driver rejoined from the pits alongside Verstappen, who himself had suffered a lengthy 11-second stop, with the pair running side-by-side into the Rettifilo.

They both navigated the right-hand part of the chicane safely but as the space was squeezed by Hamilton into the left-hand section, Verstappen stayed on the inside.

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As they tangled wheels, Verstappen also hit the sausage kerb at the apex of the left-hand corner, first with his left-front wheel and then significantly the rear.

That launched Verstappen's Red Bull into the air, with the rear-end landing on the halo and the right-rear tyre on Hamilton's head.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Hamilton said: "I am sore on my neck to be honest because it landed on my head but I will be okay."

On the incident itself, he added: "From what I remember, I was racing as hard as I could, I finally got past Lando and was in the lead.

"Timewise, they told me I was in the lead. The pit stop was obviously slow, I lost a second or whatever it is.

"I came out, I saw Daniel came past, Max was coming, I made sure I left a car's width. I was ahead going into turn two and all of a sudden he was on top of me."

Hamilton - Scenario "exactly the same" as lap one incident

The championship rivals had already made contact on the first lap of the race as Hamilton attacked around the outside of the second chicane, leading to Verstappen closing the door and forcing the Mercedes to take the escape route after they had brushed wheels.

"It was exactly the same scenario as turn four where I went around the outside, I was in exactly the same position and I gave way," explained Hamilton.

"That is racing. He just didn't want to give way today and he knew going into [turn] two what was going to happen. He knew he was going over the kerb but still did it. I don't really know what else to say."