Max Verstappen would 'do same again' if Lewis Hamilton defence was duplicated

Verstappen, Red Bull, Qatar — Photo: © LAT Images

Max Verstappen

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Verstappen would 'do same again' if Hamilton defence was duplicated

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Friday 19 November 2021 08:00

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Max Verstappen has insisted he will not change his approach when defending from Lewis Hamilton in the future if there is a repeat of their incident in Brazil.

The two F1 title rivals were side by side into turn four on lap 48 of Sunday's São Paulo Grand Prix, with Verstappen on the inside taking too much speed into the corner which forced both drivers off the track.

The Red Bull driver was not penalised as the stewards took an objective view despite not being in possession of all the relevant footage at the time.

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Once that became available on Tuesday, Mercedes sought a right of review, which was held on Thursday in Qatar.

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Asked before a verdict was reached whether he would drive in exactly the same way in an identical situation, Verstappen defiantly claimed: "Yes.

"As a driver, we know exactly what we can and can't do in the car. We were fighting hard, braking late into the corner, the tyres were quite worn.

"If I would have turned more abruptly to the left, you would spin off the track so, we are the drivers, we try to control the car."

Verstappen enjoying flat-out racing

This campaign has been the first in which Verstappen has been able to duel for the championship after playing catch-up to Mercedes since joining Red Bull in 2016.

On his enjoyment of the challenge this season, the Dutchman said: "It has been really good.

"There are sometimes some races, especially for me last year where I would be driving in third, I would be on my own and I knew there was not much to gain or to lose so naturally the race becomes a bit boring.

"But now, most of the races, you are really pushing the whole race flat out. That is something that doesn't happen all the time - there is tyre management and stuff - but you are constantly under pressure or you are the one attacking. That is just great.

"It is nice to have two teams fighting for the win and, of course, I hope in the future it is going to be more teams because then it will make it even more exciting."