Seven-Time World Champion and Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton believes the situation between himself and his title-rival Max Verstappen “will continue” this season if lessons are not learned following the pair’s latest clash.
The Championship rivals had major incidents at iconic tracks Silverstone and Monza, with Verstappen walking away from a 150mph crash in the British Grand Prix, and Hamilton grateful for the halo device that saved his life in the race in Italy.
With another eight grands prix scheduled for this season, and given the ferocity of the battle between them, it appears inevitable they will collide again at some stage unless steps are taken.
“This will continue,” said Hamilton in an interview with Auto Sports. “We have to learn from our scenarios on track and I don’t have a history of these incidents.
“Ultimately, when you get away with things like that then it’s easy just to continue to do it.”
F1’s managing director motorsports Ross Brawn has already made his feelings clear on the matter, expressing hope this year’s title race is not decided in the barriers or the stewards’ room.
Asked if his rival races to a different code of conduct than himself, Hamilton said:
“I need to have a think because this has been the first…I don’t think I have ever been hit on the head by a car before.
“It’s quite a shock for me because if you’ve seen the image, my head really is quite far forward.
“I’ve been racing a long, long time so I’m so grateful that I’m still here and I feel incredibly blessed. I feel like somebody was watching over me.”
But with the intent, aggression and ‘not backing down’ approach both are driving with, and the title battle only heating up, this surely won’t be the last big moment between these two this season.
