© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Max Verstappen says he would do the same if he was in a similar situation to the one he had with Lewis Hamilton at the Brazilian Grand Prix, and if he get penalised “it’s not the end of the world”.
Max Verstappen ran Lewis Hamilton wide and off the track during their Lap 48 battle at the Brazilian Grand Prix. When asked about it at the Qatar Grand Prix Thursday press conference, he said he would do the same again.
“Yes. You know, as a driver, I think we know exactly what we can or cannot do in a car,” Verstappen said.
“We were fighting hard, braking late into the corner, the tyres were quite worn. If I would have turned more abrupt to the left, you just spin off the track.
“So that’s why we are the drivers. We try to control the car.”
The Dutch driver also said he did not look at his onboard footage that was not available when the stewards decided not to investigate the incident in the race.
“I didn’t need to look at the footage because I was driving the car. I know exactly what happened.
“And like I said last time out, I thought it was a great battle and I had a lot of fun as well out there.
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“At the end of the day, they won the race. Fair enough. They were faster than us. But yeah, it was a good battle.”
Well, Mercedes did look at the footage and decided to ask for a review of the incident. The Dutchman says he is not surprised by this.
“I think it’s quite normal when it’s between two teams instead of just one team with two drivers, right.
“So yeah, I just have to focus on what’s happening on track, of course. The rest will be dealt with.”
Asked if he was worried that the FIA might penalise him retroactively, he said he wasn’t
“I don’t even think about that. And also, if, if… it’s not the end of the world.
“But again, I don’t expect that to happen because I thought it was fair and hard racing, and between the two guys who are fighting for the championship.
“It wouldn’t have been any way an easy pass, because it’s not how I am, and I don’t think how it should be when you’re fighting for the title,” Verstappen concluded.
