Hamilton: 'There will always be hostility from Verstappen'

Lewis Hamilton has stated there is “always hostility” when it comes to Max Verstappen's reaction to on-track incidents. Hamilton and Verstappen collided late on during the Hungarian Grand Prix as they battled for the final spot on the podium. Verstappen's Red Bull car was pitched into the air after he locked up and made contact with his former title rival - both drivers were able to continue in the race, with Hamilton securing third place. Verstappen was demoted to fifth after being overtaken by Charles Leclerc and avoided a further drop through a time penalty for his role in the clash. Reflecting on the incident, Hamilton told media including RacingNews365 : “From what I can remember, obviously we passed a backmarker.  “I got to the braking zone, and then Max appeared, to overtake the car behind me, so I moved over to defend.  “I left enough room on the inside, but Max locked up, and he was going a different trajectory to me. I was going towards, around the corner, and he came shooting across.” 

'Always hostility from Verstappen'

Hamilton and Verstappen have a history of on-track squabbles, dating back several years. The pair went toe-to-toe on a number of occasions during the closely fought 2021 title battle. After the race, Verstappen deflected blame for the incident and proposed Hamilton “kept turning to the right” as they entered the corner. When it was pointed out to him that Verstappen complained over the team radio over Hamilton's defence, the seven-time world champion suggested he was not surprised over his “hostility”. “It felt like a racing incident,” Hamilton stated. “And it's easy to make mistakes like that. “So I don't feel there should be any hostility. But of course, from his side, there always will be.”