Lewis Hamilton would have known about "slippery" pit entry - Max Verstappen

Hamilton, RussianGP, Mercedes — Photo: © LAT Images

Russian Grand Prix

Hamilton would have known about "slippery" pit entry - Verstappen

Mercedes driver hit the pit wall in qualifying

Ian Parkes

Saturday 25 September 2021 16:43

Max Verstappen believes Lewis Hamilton would have understood the slippery nature of the pit entry that led to his mistake during qualifying for the Russian Grand Prix.

Starting at the back of the grid due to a power unit penalty, Verstappen was forced into a watching brief of the astonishing qualifying session at the Sochi Autodrom, with the Red Bull only conducting an out-lap and in-lap in Q1.

In Q3, with the track conditions changing and the drivers in the top 10 switching from intermediate to slicks, Hamilton hit the pit wall due to pit lane entry still being wet from the earlier torrential rain.

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Hamilton will now start fourth behind a top three of McLaren's Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz in his Ferrari and Williams' George Russell.

Assessing the Hamilton incident, Verstappen said: "You've done that pit entry a few times at that time so you would understand how slippery it is.

"I don't know what happened. I quickly saw the replay, I haven't fully watched it. Of course, it would be better not to make that mistake, but as he knows himself as well."

As to whether the front three can at least play a part in holding up Hamilton in the race, Verstappen added: "They will race as hard as they can anyway to try and defend their positions.

"I just have to focus on my own race, try to get to the front and we will see what happens."

Verstappen, though, is concerned he will not be able to pass as easily as was believed coming into the event.

Following the power unit change, additional set-up changes have also been made to the car, but Verstappen said: "I'm confident for tomorrow that we made the right changes, but still it's going to be quite tricky to pass.

"It all depends on the first lap, on things that happen during the race. Of course, I will try to score points but I need a bit of help with things going a bit wrong at the front, but let's see."