Lewis Hamilton has disagreed with McLaren boss Andrea Stella’s suggestion that Max Verstappen’s driving in the controversial Austrian GP collision with Lando Norris was a consequence of the Dutchman not receiving more severe punishments during the 2021 title fight with him.
In an interview with Sky Sports F1 after the contentious finish to last Sunday’s race, when Verstappen and Norris’ duel for the race lead ended in a collision with seven laps to go, Stella, McLaren’s team principal, drew a parallel between the Turn Three incident and ones between Verstappen and Hamilton when the pair waged during an intense fight for the 2021 title.
“The problem behind it is that if you don’t address these things honestly, they will come back,” said Stella.
“They have come back today because they were not addressed properly in the past when there were some fights with Lewis that needed to be punished in a harsher way.”
Sitting alongside Norris in Thursday’s Drivers’ Press Conference at Silverstone ahead of this weekend’s British GP, Hamilton was asked for his view on Stella’s comparison.
“I don’t agree with that, no,” said Hamilton.
Asked if he could elaborate as to why, the Mercedes driver repeated: “I just don’t agree with it.”
Hamilton had earlier not been drawn in general about last Sunday’s Verstappen-Norris clash.
“Nothing really. I didn’t think anything of it,” said Hamilton, whose team-mate George Russell profited from the collision to claim Mercedes’ first win for over 18 months.
“I was more concerned about my race and enjoying the team’s win.”
Asked if he had any advice for Norris about racing Verstappen, Hamilton said: “Again, I don’t think I need to. They’ve raced each other for many years.
“That’s nothing to do with me.”
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Norris says Verstappen does not need to apologise for their crash in Austria and believes it was a ‘pathetic’ incident that ended both their races
‘I’m sure Lewis would have agreed three years ago!’
Norris, who rowed back from some of his immediate post-race criticisms of Verstappen and the consequences the incident might have on their relationship, backed his team boss’ point of view.
“I’m sure Lewis would agree with it two years ago or three years ago, 100 per cent,” said a smiling Norris.
“There were definitely certain things, there were definitely a few moments especially.
“On the whole, I’m always going to stand up for what Andrea said. I think Andrea’s got a very good amount of sensibility with how he talks and things he talks about.
“So definitely I think certain parts are true and I do agree with Andrea as a note.”
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The F1 paddock give their view on the controversial collision between Norris and Verstappen
Sky Sports F1’s live British GP schedule (all F1 sessions on Sky Showcase)
Thursday July 4
6pm: The F1 Show
Friday July 5
8.35am: F3 Practice
9.55am: F2 Practice
12pm: British GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
2.05pm: F3 Qualifying
3pm: F2 Qualifying
3.45pm: British GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments throughout the years at the British Grand Prix
Saturday July 6
9.15am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: British GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: British GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: British GP Qualifying
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday July 7
8:15am: F3 Feature Race
9:50am: F2 Feature Race
11:50am: Porsche Supercup
1:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday – British GP build-up
3pm: The BRITISH GRAND PRIX
5pm: Chequered Flag: British GP reaction
6pm: Ted’s Notebook
F1’s summer triple-header concludes with the big one, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Watch every session live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Showcase, with Sunday’s race at 3pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime