Lewis Hamilton expressed “surprise” with the stewards’ verdict that he could’ve done more to avoid contact with Max Verstappen in Formula 1’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hamilton and Verstappen experienced their latest clash at the Hungaroring last weekend when the 2021 title protagonists contested third place with seven laps to go.
Verstappen went airborne when he locked up attempting an aggressive dive down his rival’s inside at Turn 1 and his rear left wheel collided with Hamilton’s front right.
The Dutchman, who was disgruntled with Red Bull’s choice to allow him to be undercut, claimed post-race that Hamilton moving under braking prompted the incident.
However, Hamilton was adamant the contact constituted a racing incident and the stewards agreed with the Mercedes racer as neither driver was punished post-race.
But the stewards also determined that Hamilton “could have done more to avoid the collision”, which was a statement that the seven-time champion found bemusing.
Asked whether the stewards’ outcome regarding his involvement in the touch shocked him, Hamilton responded: “Yes, very much so. I was really, really surprised by it.
“I think already I was very relaxed about the situation. I just said, it’s just a racing incident, let’s just move on.
“But considering one car was in control, one car was not in control at the time. And if you look at the replay, I’m very, very far from, at the end of the whole move.
“I’m very, very far from the apex. So, I’ve left, there’s a lot of room on the right-hand side. So, I was very, very surprised.”
Hamilton revealed that a discussion with Verstappen didn’t materialise at the Hungaroring and he doesn’t believe that one is required to clear the air between the two.
“We didn’t talk afterwards,” he divulged. “I mean, we went to the stewards. That’s it.
“Yeah, we’ve not had a talk. I don’t know if we will. Maybe we’ll talk in the parade this weekend. I’ve not felt that there’s necessarily a need to.”
Meanwhile, Hamilton was involved in an awkward exchange in the cooldown room with Lando Norris when the latter hit back at remarks made about McLaren’s pace.
However, the seven-time champion is not holding a grudge over the matter as he is convinced that Norris’ reaction derived from frustration at squandering a race win.
“It didn’t bother me, no. I think, look, I’m nearly 40 years old, so I remember being in my mid-twenties,” he explained.
“And I remember, when I go back and look at things that I said that I would have said differently or I would have reacted differently, and I noticed, like, when you come out of the race, when you feel like you should have won, your emotions are firing. So I see that and I’m like, it’s an age thing and, you know, I don’t take it personally.
“I think ultimately, all us drivers, all us competitors, we do put a lot of pressure on ourselves. That’s how we do what we do.
“So I don’t think you can be particularly great without putting pressure on yourself.
“You’ve got to aim high and, you know, if you fail and you’re like, that’s the greatest thing ever and you’re really relaxed about it.
“I don’t think you’re ever going to naturally achieve what you intend to achieve. Can you be too hard on yourself? For sure.
“There was a time, I think, when I didn’t leave my room for three days when I was his age, so I know what it’s like.
“And that wasn’t healthy for me, but I don’t think I’ve ever looked at myself in the mirror for three days at the moment.
“I hope he doesn’t. I think what’s important is that we continue to do what we’re doing. The drivers are great. They’ve got a great car.”
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