Max Verstappen: Why Lewis Hamilton was lucky in the Bahrain Grand Prix
MAX VERSTAPPEN felt that Lewis Hamilton deserved punishment for their Bahrain Grand Prix collision.
Max Verstappen bursts tyre trying to pass Hamilton
The two clashed on just the second lap around the Bahrain International Circuit, with Hamilton’s front wing clipping the rear type of the Dutchman’s RB14 after Verstappen attempted to overtake at Turn 1.
That left Verstappen with a punctured tyre and having to limp round to the pits resulted in damage that forced the 20-year-old to retire.
But it was deemed a racing incident, with Hamilton escaping any sanctions and going on to finish third despite starting from ninth.
And Verstappen believes the four-time world champion was let off lightly as he was the one to blame, suggesting had the situation been flipped then Hamilton would be furious.
Max Verstappen felt that Lewis Hamilton was the one at fault
Max Verstappen tried to take Lewis Hamilton down the inside
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton came together on the second lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix
To say ‘no action taken’ is a bit harsh as I am now out of the race due to that contact on my left rear. If it was the other way around I’m sure he would want it looked into.
“Due to the hit with Lewis we sustained some more severe damage than just the puncture,” Verstappen explained after the race.
“From the start I was enjoying the feel of the car and finding the gaps and it was shaping up to be an exciting race. I had a good tow on the straight, the last corner was really good so it allowed me to stay close to Lewis.
“We got a bit squeezed but from the middle to the end of the corner I was ahead, I then felt a nudge from behind and could feel the puncture and therefore knew the race was likely over.
“In my opinion there was plenty of room for the both of us to go around that corner and to say ‘no action taken’ is a bit harsh as I am now out of the race due to that contact on my left rear.
“If it was the other way around I’m sure he would want it looked into.”
Max Verstappen suffered heavy damage from the collision
But Hamilton said in the post-race drivers' press conference: "There needs to be a certain respect between drivers and ultimately - maybe I need to go and watch the manoeuvre again - but it didn't feel like a respectful manoeuvre.
The third F1 race of the season takes place in Shanghai, China, this weekend (April 13-15).
Red Bull will hope for an improved weekend after Verstappen's team-mate Daniel Ricciardo was also forced to retire in Bahrain due to a power failure.