Silverstone (United Kingdom) (AFP)

"I don't think I have any reason to apologize," said Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), winner of the British Grand Prix after an accident, in the first round, with Max Verstappen (Red Bull), current leader in Formula 1, which had to give up.

Q: What happened during the accident?

A: "I passed him, I got to the right and I was quite far behind him, but then I could see that he was not going to fold up, we entered the turn and we crashed. Of course, that's never the way I want to win a race but these things happen. When someone is too aggressive, these things have to happen. I just hope that. he is doing well and I am looking forward to many more races against him. "

Q: According to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, this incident is ruining your victory.

Do you agree?

A: "Honestly no. I have nothing to say to Christian, except that the victory is not in vain. I didn't really see the pictures, I saw a quick clip when I went back to the garage, but I'll have time to do it and think about it. But from my perspective right now, I don't think I have any reason to apologize for anything. heard that Max was in the hospital and that clearly worries me. Nobody among us wants any of us to get hurt someday, that was never my intention of course. So I really hope that 'He's fine. I'll call him after. It's important for all of us to take a step back because emotions run high. "

Q: At 36 and seven world crownings, you have experience on your side against your 23-year-old rival. Is it essential for the title race?

“When I was younger I was probably as aggressive - maybe not as much as Max, but quite aggressive nonetheless. I'm a lot older now and I know the championship is a marathon, not a sprint, so I have a better view of how I approach my race. But it's a real battle and I think this year he was very aggressive and most of the time I had to give in and avoid the incidents with him to stay alive and beat me later in the race. As you saw yesterday (in the qualifying sprint race, editor's note), once he's in the lead, he's too fast, so when an opportunity presents itself, I have to seize it - that's what we do, we race. "

© 2021 AFP