Max Verstappen "runs you out of road" - Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton, verstappen, Italy — Photo: © LAT Images

Mercedes

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Verstappen "runs you out of road" - Hamilton

Collisions and near misses are becoming frequent between the pair

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Thursday 16 September 2021 05:00

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Lewis Hamilton has criticised F1 title rival Max Verstappen, proclaiming the Red Bull driver "runs you out of road".

The two championship protagonists collided dramatically at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday in a remarkable incident that saw Hamilton's life saved by the halo.

This followed a near-miss on lap one as the pair jostled for position into the Della Roggia chicane, with Hamilton taking to the run-off to avoid a collision.

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It was another instance of the squeeze being applied by Verstappen on Hamilton in lap-one fights this season, as also occurred at Imola and Spain.

At the British Grand Prix, it was Hamilton who was declared "predominantly to blame" by the stewards for their opening lap crash that sent the Red Bull driver into a barrier at 150mph.

But after what unfolded at Monza, Hamilton felt obliged to point out his track record in going wheel-to-wheel with Verstappen this season.

“If you look at the start of the race, the same incident or a similar one, when I tried to go around the outside of Max," said Hamilton, speaking on the evening of the race.

"We’re both top drivers, well experienced and I know I can’t go around the outside of Max.

“We’ve seen it at Imola. He runs you out of road. We’ve seen it at turn four [at Monza] that he runs you out of road.

"So in all instances, I’ve moved out of the way to avoid incident and have gone over the kerbs."

Verstappen "lost control"

Verstappen was handed a three-place grid penalty for the Russian Grand Prix after both drivers retired from the race at Monza.

Hamilton was left confused as to why his rival had not taken to the run-off to avoid contact.

“I was ahead in turn one," he added. "I left enough room, a car width on the outside going into the corner but we barrelled the similar sort of speed into the corner and I was ahead going into two.

“Ultimately, he lost control going over the kerb and went into me. I don’t feel at fault because I got hit from behind.

“There’s a point at which you have to concede you’re not going to make the corner and you’ve got to go across. Everyone generally has gone across those kerbs and I’m not quite sure why Max didn’t.”