Max Verstappen has branded his Formula 1 title rival Lewis Hamilton “disrespectful” for celebrating victory at the British Grand Prix, while he lay in hospital following a heavy impact on the opening lap of the grand prix.
Verstappen and Hamilton clashed at the Copse corner as they battled over the lead of the race. Verstappen ended up in the wall and was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, having recorded a 51G impact, which resulted in a red flag.
Although Verstappen has been given the all clear, he has branded his title rival “disrespectful” and says his celebrations were “unsportsmanlike”.
“Glad I’m OK,” the Red Bull driver wrote on social media. “Very disappointed with being taken out like this. The penalty given does not help us and doesn’t do justice to the dangerous move Lewis made on track.
![Franco Colpinto [front] avoided Liam Lawson [back] at the start of the Australian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Franco-Colapinto-F1-Aus-GP-120x86.webp)
“Watching the celebrations while still in hospital is disrespectful and unsportsmanlike behaviour, but we move on.”
Immediately after the incident, Hamilton radioed his team to ask about Verstappen’s condition, to which he was told “he’s OK and out of the car.”
Verstappen was taken to the circuit medical centre for checks before being taken to a local hospital for further checks, but hasn’t suffered any injuries.
As a result of his DNF, Hamilton is just eight points adrift in the championship standings, having overcome a ten-second time penalty for the clash to win his eighth British GP.
![Franco Colpinto [front] avoided Liam Lawson [back] at the start of the Australian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Franco-Colapinto-F1-Aus-GP-350x250.webp)
![Franco Colpinto [front] avoided Liam Lawson [back] at the start of the Australian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Franco-Colapinto-F1-Aus-GP-360x180.webp)
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