Max Verstappen warns Lewis Hamilton backing out in wheel-to-wheel battles "goes both ways"

Hamilton, verstappen, Italy — Photo: © LAT Images

Russian Grand Prix

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Verstappen warns Hamilton backing out in wheel-to-wheel battles "goes both ways"

Title rivals collided in Monza for second time this year

Ian Parkes & Will Gray

Thursday 23 September 2021 16:05

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Max Verstappen has warned Lewis Hamilton he will not change his tough style of racing following the latest collision between the F1 title-fighting duo.

Verstappen, who leads Hamilton by just five points with eight races to go heading into this weekend's Russian Grand Prix, landed on top of Hamilton’s car during the race in Italy after the pair refused to yield space through the first chicane.

Asked if he would consider altering his approach when it comes to racing wheel to wheel with Hamilton and occasionally backing out, Verstappen retorted: “I think that goes both ways. It is not only me when we are racing each other.”

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The pair have banged wheels on numerous occasions this year as Red Bull’s return to form has put Verstappen in with a strong chance of wrestling away Hamilton’s long hold on the title.

The collision at Monza came after a dramatic crash at Silverstone, but Verstappen is still convinced the fight will not ‘turn nasty’, adding: “Not from my side. I am pretty calm and chilled about everything.

“It is more the questions I keep getting about it. I think we are all professional enough to leave this behind in Monza and just continue again here in Sochi and the races after that.”

Verstappen brushes off Hamilton injury claims

Hamilton complained of a sore neck after the crash in Monza after one of the wheels on Verstappen’s Red Bull hit the top of his helmet, but with the halo bearing the brunt of the impact and saving his life.

The reigning champion had acupuncture throughout the week after the race, working with his physio to get back into shape, but Verstappen believes his actions after the incident showed there was never any real issue.

Verstappen was criticised for not checking Hamilton was okay after the collision but said: “There are a lot of hypocrites in the world, that’s for sure.

“I jumped out the car, I looked to the left and of course he is still trying to reverse, shaking the wheel, trying to get away under my car, so I think he was also absolutely fine.

“Also, [Hamilton] flying on Monday to America to attend a gala, I think you only do that if you’re fine. So I think, already there, all was under control.”