Verstappen, who was running third behind Hamilton at the time, attempted to pass the outside of his rival at Turn 1 and claim the inside top for the Turn 2 right-hander. However, he was left with some space and they made contact at the bottom of the Senna Esses. Verstappen smashed his front wing while Hamilton, who was forced wide, suffered damage to the floor and wheel covers. The FIA said Verstappen was primarily responsible for the accident and was given a five-second penalty. With Hamilton and Verstappen having clashed several times during their 2021 title battle, the latest incident has again led to suggestions that they are racing differently to the other drivers. Asked if he was worried about the particular issue Verstappen has with him, Hamilton said: “I’m not worried. Yeah, don’t worry, I think so. “I think it’s only natural when you have success and numbers on your chest that you become a bit of a target. But it’s okay. It’s nothing I haven’t dealt with before.” Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB18, collides with Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13 Photo: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images Hamilton said he had no particular thoughts about the accident at the time, as his mindset was just to be able to continue and recover through the field. “I don’t have much of an opinion on it, to be honest,” he said of the accident. “All I thought at the time was I thought the car was going to have to retire because I felt something, the rear didn’t feel the same after that. “For me, it was like losing the team 1-2 – that’s all I could think about. “So I drove over the grass, got back on the track and all I could think about was how can I get back to giving the team this incredible result. So, just for me, it’s kind of, again, not how you fall, it’s how you get back up. And I’m proud of the work we’ve all done.” Hamilton eventually recovered to finish second behind teammate George Russell, who took his maiden F1 win. Read also:
