Max Verstappen lashes out at Ferrari over Lewis Hamilton as Red Bull row ignited

Max Verstappen lashes out at Ferrari over Lewis Hamilton as Red Bull row ignited

Max Verstappen is unhappy with Ferrari over the qualifying incident that saw Lewis Hamilton punished.

Hamilton was incorrectly informed that Verstappen was on a slow lap behind him, before quickly learning that his rival was in fact driving fast.

Having qualified in fourth, the 40-year-old was forced to accept a four-place grid penalty over the near-collision.

The duo were seen exchanging words after the session, but Verstappen insisted:

“At the time, you see the car blocking you and when you are there at high speed, it’s not nice,” Verstappen told Sky Sports.

“I saw the team told him I was driving slow when I was clearly driving fast, so it’s not Lewis’ fault. I quickly chatted to Lewis about it. It’s very simple but it can’t happen. But that’s the team’s mistake.”

Asked if he expected a punishment for Hamilton – who at that point had not been sanctioned by the stewards – Verstappen responded: “If you look at the history of things, yes. But it’s more the team’s fault. But normally in qualifying they are quite strict on these things.”