As Red Bull prepares to offer fresh evidence in a bid to have the Silverstone stewards review their findings, Max Verstappen gives his take on the Silverstone clash.

Though, in the days leading up to the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, Max Verstappen insisted that he wished to move on from the events of Silverstone, it was inevitable that the Dutchman would be asked his opinion, for other than the fact that he hasn't spoken to the media since the clash, there is the little matter of his team seeking a review of the incident.

Asked about the clash at today's press conference, Verstappen said: "I fought hard, I defended hard, but not aggressive... because if it would have been aggressive I could have pushed him or squeezed him into the inside wall.

"I did give him the space," he continued, "and then I just opened up my corner, and when you then commit on the inside like he did and not back out, expecting he can do the same speed on that angle that I had on the outside, you are going to, of course, crash into me.

"I'm on the outside, I'm opening up my corner and not expecting him to commit, and he understeered into the rear of my car," he added.

Referring to the 10s penalty handed to Hamilton, the Dutchman said: "Basically you take out your main rival, and especially with the speed we have with our cars, we are miles ahead of the third-best team. "We are easily forty, fifty seconds ahead in normal conditions. So a 10 second penalty doesn't do anything. So definitely that penalty should have been more severe."

When it was pointed out that the stewards decision cited Hamilton as "predominantly at fault", thereby inferring that he was partly to blame, Verstappen insisted: "I don't know how I have a percentage in that fault.

"He goes for that move, he commits to the move," he added. "Of course I'm going to make it difficult for him to make the move... but as soon as he commits to the inside and is getting alongside me, I open up the corner, and then I'm going to leave him space.

"They don't expect me to just completely run off the track and then just keep my position," her continued, "probably they would tell you that you cannot run off the track.

"So from my side, a bit surprised, yeah, that there is a little bit of a percentage in there."

Citing, Hamilton's subsequent move on Charles Leclerc at the same corner in the final stages of the race, Verstappen said the move was "a great example that it is possible to not touch" in that corner.

"Of course at the time he knew he had the faster car, so it was just a matter of time to pass," said the Red Bull driver. "But it does show that it is possible to go up the inside, but then back out more, slow down a bit more, and not hit the other driver.

"I think at the middle of the corner, I was actually opening up more than Charles did even. It's a great example within the same race that it is possible to fight into that corner."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 31/07/2021 3:16

"@ nmw01223 Thanks for the response. The only way that the system can be tweaked is for some different penalties for different outcomes. If a driver is forced off/driven off by another driver but is able to continue then a lighter penalty should possibly be levied. Where a driver under similar conditions cannot continue/crashes then maybe a heavier penalty should be levied. What happened at Silverstone was a total travesty. Whilst I do not follow or support either team, in this case, I do understand the level of disappointment within the RB camp. Enjoy Hungary and hopefully we'll see a cracking race."

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2. Posted by kenji, 31/07/2021 3:05

"@ Spindoctor...Wrong. There was only one penalty levied and it wasn't Verstappen who got it. You are totally incorrect with your 'characterisation' of my suggested support for Red Bull and Verstappen. That could not be further from the truth. You're not looking at the event objectively...merely parroting the common theme seen on lower forms of social media and some of the TV pundits who are never far from being solicitous whenever Mercedes are questioned. Sky is a perfect example...they are still calling it an 'racing incident' which we all know is wrong if you accept that the FIA/Stewards decisions which in this case [ IMO ] are correct... I certainly do. You may care to comment on the matter of relativity to the degree of outcomes rather that pursue 'ad hominem' attacks."

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3. Posted by Spindoctor, 30/07/2021 14:16

"@kenji
You're redefining the notion of "flogging a dead horse" here. Verstappen was not considered completely blameless by the Stewards in this incident, but Hamilton was found, on balance to have more responsibility for it.
The implication in many of your posts and from RBR is that Hamilton is somehow suddenly a "dangerous" & "irresponsible" driver, while Verstappen is the epitome of reasonableness, calmness & sportsmanship, whose every move is genius. This is a silly characterisation of both."

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4. Posted by kenji, 30/07/2021 13:11

"It seems as though opinions are mixed with a lot of people thinking that they know better than the stewards which of course is bunkum. If the stewards felt that Verstappen was guilty of contributable negligence then they would've either deemed it to be a 'racing incident' , which they didn't,or they would've apportioned a form of penalty on Verstappen as well. We do know that that hasn't happened either. One of the problems that I see with the whole incident is that a driver can be found guilty and penalised for pushing another driver off the track... then allowed to repair his car and with such a minor penalty, go on to win the race. There should be penalties that take into account the outcomes as well. As an example...street violence where a sucker punch does at times incapacitate a victim...GBH and in most cases either a heavy fine and/or a minor gaol sentence. Should the victim die then manslaughter or worse , murder even!! A life sentence is often imposed. Whilst this incident has no connection with my example here we have an accident of quite serious proportions being treated without taking into account the outcome. What if Verstappen had life threatening injuries or worse? I neither follow or support either of these teams so there is no bias in my comments. Maybe the system needs further refining to make it more equitable to the injured parties."

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5. Posted by gt3bill, 30/07/2021 2:09

"yea anyone with experience (hamilton)..lol would of done that....."

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6. Posted by Photino, 29/07/2021 23:01

"Hi, Max knew he had the faster car and should have waited till later and pass him on a straight. He had the whole race infront of him."

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Verstappen: I fought hard, but not aggressive

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