Silverstone (United Kingdom) (AFP)
Max Verstappen, who had to drop out of the British Grand Prix after an accident with Lewis Hamilton, said his rival had made "a dangerous maneuver" and was "disrespectful and unsportsmanlike" in celebrating his victory while he was in the hospital.
"I'm happy to be fine. Very disappointed to have been taken out like that (in the first round). The penalty given (ten seconds for Hamilton, Editor's note) does not help us and does not reflect the dangerous maneuver that Lewis carried out on the track. Attending these celebrations while the driver (editor's note) is still in the hospital is disrespectful and unsportsmanlike, but we are moving forward, "the Dutchman said on Twitter.
In a press conference after the 99th victory of his career, his 8th at home, Hamilton said he had "no reason to apologize" and that Verstappen had "not given him any space".
"Max is one of the most aggressive drivers," said Hamilton, second in the championship behind the Dutchman.
The race management, however, judged that the Briton was "mainly at fault" for this collision and penalized him during the race.
After a breathtaking start, the two rivals were neck and neck at every turn.
But at the "Copse" turn, the 9th, during a Hamilton overtaking maneuver, the two collided.
Spun off, the Red Bull driver ended up in the security barriers.
He quickly got out of his car, visibly in shock, and left the track in an ambulance, after greeting the British public.
His very damaged single-seater, testifying to the violence of the crash, was taken off the circuit.
After a first medical check-up at the circuit, Verstappen, 23, was taken to hospital as a precaution, before announcing that he had nothing broken.
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