Mercedes requires change after crash between Hamilton and Verstappen

MONZA, Italy — Two of Method One’s prime drivers have been concerned in two doubtlessly life-threatening crashes in as many months.

One thing wants to vary.

On the British Grand Prix in July, Max Verstappen ended up within the hospital after tangling with Lewis Hamilton on the primary lap. On the Italian GP on Sunday, Hamilton was solely in a position to escape comparatively unscathed from one other incident between the 2 title rivals due to the protecting halo machine.

“The halo undoubtedly saved Lewis’ life right this moment. It will have been a horrible accident that I do not even need to take into consideration if we would not have had the halo,” Mercedes workforce principal Toto Wolff stated. “What number of accidents can we need to see sooner or later with a view to cease one man profitable. It’s totally intense and possibly we are able to discover some framework wherein we are able to function.”

The incident occurred halfway via the race on the Temple of Velocity as Hamilton exited pit lane simply forward of Verstappen, who tried to squeeze previous him at a chicane however ran off the observe.

Verstappen was despatched uncontrolled and airborne into his rival’s path, with the rear-right wheel crushing the highest of Hamilton’s Mercedes and sending them each into the gravel and out of the race.

“We have now seen these duels prior to now and it is between drivers which can be superb, which can be racing for a world championship,” Wolff stated. “I feel the modus operandi for the longer term is that tactical fouls with a view to guarantee that the opposite man does not win is one thing which it’s essential get beneath management. How I do not know.”

Verstappen maintained his championship lead, which he had barely prolonged to 5 factors by coming second within the dash on Saturday. After chatting with each drivers, the stewards determined that Verstappen “was predominantly guilty for the collision” and gave the Crimson Bull driver a three-place grid drop for the beginning of the following race, the Russian GP on Sept. 26.

“I am pleased with the stewards,” Hamilton stated instantly after studying of their determination. “I want a while to essentially mirror on it however I feel it undoubtedly units a precedent and I feel it is vital for us transferring forwards, for the security of the drivers that there are strict guidelines set in place.”

Hamilton had stated earlier than the choice was introduced that one thing wanted to vary with a view to keep away from related incidents — with doubtlessly graver penalties — sooner or later.

“There’s a level wherein it’s a must to concede, go throughout the run-off, and I’m not certain why Max did not,” the seven-time champion stated. “This can proceed, however we’ve to study from our eventualities on observe. I haven’t got a historical past of those incidents and once you get away with issues, you simply proceed to do it.

“We do have to look into this so the proper selections are being made. No person desires to see anybody get injured. If we put higher protocols in possibly we are able to keep away from this kind of stuff sooner or later.”

Crimson Bull workforce precept Christian Horner described the crash as a 50-50 accident and Verstappen stated Hamilton stored “squeezing” him and pushed him onto the curb.

“I used to be there to attempt to race onerous however truthful,” Verstappen stated. “I do not totally agree with the penalty as I consider it was a racing incident. It’s totally unlucky what occurred right this moment however we’re each professionals and so we are going to transfer on.”

It’s a related post-race state of affairs to Silverstone when Horner implied that Hamilton had put Verstappen within the hospital due to harmful driving. They clashed on the primary lap of the British GP in what Crimson Bull known as a “determined” transfer by Hamilton that noticed him given a 10-second penalty.

“We do not need to have conditions sooner or later the place one loses the place and the one method of stopping the race, of stopping the opposite one scoring, is simply by taking him out,” Wolff stated. “So each of them want to depart house for one another, race one another onerous however keep away from accidents.”