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Hamilton: Extra space always needed in Verstappen battles

Published on 29 Oct 2019 18:22
11
By: Dieter Rencken & Fergal Walsh

Lewis Hamilton admits that extra space is needed when drivers battle with Max Verstappen, as failure to do so means it's "very likely" to make contact with him.

Hamilton and Verstappen came together on the opening lap of the Mexican Grand Prix at Turn 2, forcing both of them across the grass, with Hamilton picking up floor damage.

Hamilton went on to win the race, while Verstappen came home in sixth after an early pit stop due to contact with the second Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas on lap four of the race.

While Hamilton admits that every driver is different, he stated that Verstappen is "a magnet" for such incidents like the one in Mexico on lap one.

"I think every driver is slightly different," Hamilton said. "Some are smarter, some are very smart, aggressive and some are silly with it. And so, through those experiences of racing with people, you give some more space and others you don’t have to.

"They’re quite respectful. But Max, it’s very likely you’re going to come together with Max if you don’t give him extra space, so most of the time you do. But as I said, in my experience, I didn’t have a lot of space to give him extra space.

"But I don’t think it was intentional or anything like that. He’s a magnet for those kind of things. Nonetheless, I managed to keep the car together and in a straight line, fortunately."

Bottas: Verstappen earned his own puncture

Bottas agreed with Hamilton comments that every driver is different, however he affirms that Verstappen was at fault for their contact in the stadium section which resulted in Verstappen's punctured tyre.

"Out of nowhere, he appeared on the inside into Turn 13 and I couldn't disappear from there. He just dived in and we touched. He got a puncture from that.

"I couldn’t really avoid him, so I think he earned his own puncture, definitely. But I don’t know, every driver is obviously different.

"Some are more aggressive, some are less. I haven’t raced very closely for some time with all of them, so I can’t say in detail for all the drivers."

Mansell

Posts: 104

Vercrashen needs to realise this isn't a video game and he could end up killing someone.

3
Oct 29 2019 - 20:59

F1 News Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Red Bull Racing

Replies (11)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Let's not conduct projectile mineralogy, shall we, Hammy? We all saw how you and Rosie behaved together. Yah, you need to put on some silk gloves when fighting Max, but so do you when fighting you.
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- Oct 29 2019 - 20:52
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  *conduct projectile mineralogy inside of glass houses.... I was sooo close to borrow an incredibly good joke!
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  Oct 29 2019 - 20:53
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  I agree that Lewis raced Nico hard. Probably harder than anyone else for what I can only assume are 'personal reasons/vendettas/take your pick"
  
  However, I think most would agree that Lewis is actually quite clean and fair in wheel-to-wheel battles. Sneaky, opportunistic, and often lucky yes, but I don't think reckless and dirty are qualifying adjectives.
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  Oct 29 2019 - 21:17
Mansell

Posts: 104
Vercrashen needs to realise this isn't a video game and he could end up killing someone.
- + 3
- Oct 29 2019 - 20:59
Ram Samartha

Posts: 1,172
I think Hammy is being somewhat diplomatic here. He's saying without saying that Max is reckless and not a very smart driver. Subtly overstating the obvious.
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- Oct 30 2019 - 00:19
essaouira311

Posts: 158
Once again he proves how brilliant he is. SIX champions don't come easy....
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- Oct 30 2019 - 08:26
JuJuHound

Posts: 352
I see it this way that Max always wants to make his competitors life harder. It's like he can make take the corner more but it;s visible, looking at the steering wheel his not giving a lot of space. But honestly.... I would do the same :)
Senna, Schumacher, the all time greats were doing the same, this is the racing to be number 1.
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- Oct 30 2019 - 10:28
- essaouira311
  
  Posts: 158
  However, Senna and Schumacher NEVER promoted racing culture. They were just racing animals. If that's what we want, OK...
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  Oct 31 2019 - 08:34
- Manto02
  
  Posts: 93
  Hamilton is a racing animal just like Senna and Schumacher
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  Oct 31 2019 - 10:05
f1ski

Posts: 726
uhhhh, everyone forgets how aggressive lewis was. he drove an f1 car like he was in nascar he would bump wheels push people wide . Even did it in the tunnel to Masa. Without the fastest car Lewis might not be the fastest driver and his demons might return. Danny Ricciardo in a MB or Max lookout
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- Oct 31 2019 - 13:54
TheDentist

Posts: 24
Verstappen just throws his car around hoping to make the pass work, if it does then everyone praises that he’s a ‘great’ driver, whereas if you understand racing he’s just being reckless. If he had taken out Hamilton in Monaco on the last lap that would have been shocking driving!!
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- Oct 31 2019 - 14:44