Lewis Hamilton has laughed off suggestions from Max Verstappen that he was as fault for the collision between him and Red Bull driver during the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The 2021 title rivals clashed on Lap 63 of 70 when Verstappen dived down the inside as he tried to claim third place from Hamilton.
The reigning world champion however locked up his tyres and ran deep into the corner, with his left-rear wheel making contact with Hamilton’s front right wheel, sending him airborne unto the side of the track.
The collision was deemed a “racing incident” by the stewards but it cost Verstappen dearly as he dropped behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to finish fifth while Hamilton took third place behind the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris for his milestone 200th F1 podium finish.
“I mean, for me, it was a racing incident. Ultimately, he was much quicker,” the seven-time world champion said.
“He sent it. I moved, a little bit to defend. But I left space on the inside. He locked up. He then couldn’t turn, so came back at a different trajectory and clipped my wheel.
“So, if he was under control, he would have gone by.”
Unprecedented greatness 👑
Sir Lewis Hamilton. 200 Formula 1 podiums 🇬🇧#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/9GUykrnd82
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 21, 2024
Hamilton already holds the record for most podiums in F1 history before his landmark 200th on Sunday with Michael Schumacher being the next with 155 podium finishes.
The 39-year-old British driver already also holds the record for race wins (104), pole positions (104), and became the driver to have most wins at a single circuit when won for the ninth time at the British Grand Prix last time out.
