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Martin Brundle says there is no doubt that Max Verstappen has different racing limits whilst racing against Lewis Hamilton.
Battles between Hamilton and Verstappen have been a rare sight to see this season. However, last weekend in Brazil was a flashback to 2021 and the hard racing everyone is used to from them.
During this battle both drivers made contact which resulted in damage to both cars. The Brit had damaged wheel covers and a damaged floor throughout the race, which greatly affected his pace. Whilst the Dutchman suffered a damaged front wing.
The defending champion served a five-second penalty during a pitstop. The penalty was controversial, but it was clear that Verstappen has different standards for racing when it comes to Hamilton.
The 2021 season saw a lot of contact made between the two, Silverstone and Monza to name a couple. However since 2021, Verstappen’s battles on track with other drivers have been less aggressive in comparison to his battles Hamilton.
Martin Brundle
Brundle commented on the collision at São Paulo between the two in his Sky Sports column saying:
“Russell wisely left it very late before nailing the throttle on the restart, so as not to gift a healthy slipstream.
“Behind, the two Red Bulls were catching Hamilton, and Max initially seemed to be defending the inside against his team-mate before suddenly deciding to attack Hamilton around the outside.
“Partly ahead, and then partly behind, but having the inside line for turn two – as the agreement between drivers and race control has been carefully explained to me by a key driver. Being that far alongside Lewis and on the inside, Max was entitled to some racing room.”
“I have no doubt that Max has a different set of limits when in combat with Lewis. And Lewis has similarly decided to fight fire with fire.
“And so inevitably they hit but continued. The stewards said Lewis could have given ‘a little more space’, and in my view, Max could have taken even more kerb, or indeed lifted off the throttle but that’s not racing.
“The stewards decided it was predominantly Max’s fault and he got a five-second penalty and a pit stop for a new nose. I thought it was a racing incident.
“Lewis’ car was a bit scruffy but all the fast bits were intact and he set off in spectacular recovery mode.”
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