Christian Horner gives his opinion on the collision between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, and a possible “grudge” between them, while Toto Wolff refrains from giving any verdict.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen again collided at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, which led to Max Verstappen receiving a five-second penalty.
Asked if Verstappen’s ability to hold a grudge could lead to tense situations between the two drivers in the future, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said: “He has a memory like an elephant”.
As for the penalty Max received, Horner believes it was “a bit harsh, to be honest”.
“For me, I thought he’d earned a bit more space than he was given, that Lewis could have given him a bit more to work with because he [Max] was ahead going into the left-hander,” the Briton continued.
“It’s unfortunate. I think it’s the only incident Max has had this year. Unfortunately, Max was deemed at fault with the five-second penalty which just hurt his race even more.
“It was very frustrating to pick that up.”
If you like SilverArrows.Net, consider supporting us by buying us a coffee!
Asked if he believes Hamilton could not let go of the controversial 2021 title battle with Verstappen, Horner said:
“That’s a big question, more one for Lewis than for me. Unfortunately, the only contact we’ve had this year has been in turn two. As I said, I felt Max had earned a bit more space than he was given.
“We were surprised by the penalty because at best we thought it was a racing incident,” he concluded.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, however, didn’t want to give a verdict on the collision or its aftermath.
“I struggle to comment on the situation because it’s irrelevant to me at that stage to attribute guilt or to have a judgement call here,” the Austrian said.
“I’d rather be happy about the win,” he concluded.