© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Max Verstappen’s former team-mate Daniel Ricciardo says Max’s move on Lewis Hamilton at the Brazilian Grand Prix “took them both off so maybe that was over the limit”.
At the Brazilian Grand Prix Max Verstappen pushed Lewis Hamilton wide and off the track, while the Briton was attempting an overtake. However, the stewards decided not to penalise the Dutch driver.
Once onboard footage from Verstappen’s car surfaced, Mercedes decided to ask for a review of the incident, and the FIA’s decision on whether it will be reviewed is expected today.
In the meantime, Verstappen’s former team-mate Daniel Ricciardo was asked to give his opinion on the situation.
“Well, it was certainly tough, it was tight, to state the obvious,” the Australian said.
“Obviously both cars went off track. Being his [former] team-mate, I don’t know if I have any more knowledge than from anyone watching from the outside.
“Team-mate or not, we know Max, the calibre of driver he is, how he races. He’s always come in with an aggressive approach.
“But I think he has certainly matured over time, and he certainly finds himself in fewer incidents or accidents, as he was in the first year or so in F1.
“I think he’s definitely polished up that aggression but he still has it.”
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Ricciardo does concede that such moves can be expected when a close title race is approaching its conclusion.
“Whether the move was, call it right or wrong, fighting for a win and the championship at this stage you are obviously going to try and fight for as long as you can, and do everything you can to hold onto that lead.
“Obviously that one took them both off so maybe that was over the limit. I don’t think anything has changed over time since the first year.
“I think he has matured but the last few years the approach hasn’t changed. In a way, that’s what I’ve always respected. You know you are going to race hard with Max.”
Although Ricciardo says he wants to stay out of the debate, he admits the move might have been “too hard”.
“Who knows. I’m going to stay out of it. I say I’ll stay out of it, they both went off track so you could say it was too hard because no-one made the corner, so you could say that.
“But I think the approach is unchanged. I’m not in that position, fighting for a world title, I think you’re going to fight until the end.
“I don’t know if that would change if it happened again,” Daniel concluded.
