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Max Verstappen criticizes Mercedes sharply
Photo: Pool / Getty Images
Even a call from Lewis Hamilton could not appease Max Verstappen.
“The team’s reaction, you’re not celebrating a victory.
Especially not one that you brought in like that, "said the leader in the World Championship classification almost two weeks after the violent crash at Silverstone:" I found that disrespectful and it shows who you really are.
I wouldn't want to be seen like that. "
The 23-year-old's anger was clearly visible three days before the Hungarian Grand Prix (Sunday, 3 p.m.), even behind the dark blue face mask.
During the race in Great Britain, Verstappen went off the track after being touched by Hamilton's Mercedes and crashed into the barrier with enormous force.
While Verstappen was examined and taken to the hospital, Hamilton and the Silver Arrows had euphorically cheered the home success of the seven-time world champion.
"That's not how you celebrate a victory like that," said Verstappen.
"He just misjudged it in the curve"
He also reported that Hamilton called him.
He didn't give any details.
When asked whether the 36-year-old Formula 1 dominator had been racing against him in the past few years, Verstappen replied somewhat evasively: "He just misjudged it in the curve."
Otherwise he does not want to comment on it.
He sees no fault in the accident himself.
"I did nothing wrong.
I drove hard, but not aggressively, otherwise I would have pushed it into the wall, «said Verstappen before the race on the legendary Hungaroring.
The crash also left its mark on sport.
Former world champion Nico Rosberg, a long-time teammate and in 2016 Hamilton's last real competitor, sees a "battle of the generations".
The rivalry reminded him of "Senna against Schumacher, Schumacher against Alonso, Alonso against Vettel," said the German.
"And we'll see more of it, I'm sure."
bam / sid / dpa
