AUSTRIA: In a dramatic turn of events at the Austrian Grand Prix, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff accused Max Verstappen of committing a “revenge foul” on his driver Lewis Hamilton during the sprint shootout.
F1 pundit Naomi Schiff echoed Wolff’s sentiments, stating that Verstappen’s actions were intentional.
The incident unfolded when Verstappen, on his flying lap, encountered Hamilton through the penultimate corner and claimed that the Mercedes driver impeded him.
In retaliation, Verstappen overtook Hamilton into Turn 1, sabotaging Hamilton’s subsequent attempt. This move ultimately led to Hamilton’s elimination in the opening phase of qualifying for the sprint race.
Wolff’s accusation of a “revenge foul” was supported by Schiff, who highlighted the risk Verstappen took with his actions, considering the potential consequences from Race Control in the 2023 F1 season.
Schiff acknowledged Verstappen’s frustration but criticized his decision to impede Hamilton, especially knowing how strictly the FIA has policed impeding incidents this season.
Verstappen’s actions didn’t stop with impeding Hamilton. During the sprint race, tensions escalated further between Verstappen and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.
As Perez initially took the lead, Verstappen attempted to respond but was squeezed onto the grass by his teammate.
Verstappen later aggressively reclaimed the lead at Turn 3, pushing Perez wide, causing him to lose second place to Nico Hulkenberg from Haas.
Damon Hill, the 1996 World Champion, expressed scepticism about Perez’s defence, claiming that he must have been aware of Verstappen’s presence and intentionally gave him little room.
Hill’s analysis of the incident suggested that Verstappen’s aggressive response nearly allowed other drivers to overtake him, causing anxiety among the Red Bull team.
Despite the controversies and intense battles on the track, Verstappen emerged victorious in both the sprint and the Austrian Grand Prix.
With this latest triumph, Red Bull has maintained an unprecedented streak of nine consecutive wins in the 2023 F1 season, establishing dominance in the sport.
As the Austrian Grand Prix concluded, fans and experts were left debating the consequences of Verstappen’s “revenge foul” on Hamilton and the ongoing dynamics within the Red Bull team.
The heated rivalry between Verstappen and Hamilton continues to captivate the F1 world, ensuring a thrilling remainder of the season for racing enthusiasts worldwide.
Also Read: Max Verstappen Dominates Austrian Grand Prix, amid Controversial Track Limits Penalties
