Lewis Hamilton Criticizes Max Verstappen’s Penalty Call After Austrian GP Clash, Cites Ferrari’s Power Struggles

Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton dismissed Max Verstappen’s request for a penalty during their intense battle at the Austrian Grand Prix, stating, “You don’t drive around the outside of a champion.” The incident occurred when Verstappen, who finished second behind Mercedes teammates George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, argued that Hamilton’s defensive driving forced him onto the gravel at Turn 6, according to Sky Sports F1.

Hamilton’s Defensive Tactics and Verstappen’s Reaction

Hamilton, who finished fifth after starting third, described the encounter as “great. Good fun,” emphasizing that Verstappen should have backed out when he was behind at the apex. “I left him just enough room,” Hamilton said, per Sky Sports F1. Verstappen’s demand for a penalty highlighted the tension between the two drivers, though Hamilton maintained his position without further incident.

Ferrari’s Struggles and Hamilton’s Assessment

Ferrari faced significant challenges at the Red Bull Ring, with Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc finishing fifth and eighth, respectively. Hamilton attributed the result to “bad, lack of pace,” citing tire issues and a lack of power deployment. “The car didn’t agree with any of the tyres. It was a very hard race,” he told Sky Sports F1. The 41-year-old also criticized Ferrari’s strategy, stating that starting on medium tires was “suboptimal” and that a switch to softs might have secured fourth place.

“We need to push really hard to see when we can get the next power upgrade,” Hamilton added. He noted that Mercedes “have got serious power at the end of the straights,” suggesting Ferrari’s performance gap with top teams remains significant.

Red Bull’s Upgrades and Competitive Threat

Hamilton acknowledged Red Bull’s progress, calling their performance “a huge step.” He estimated the team had gained “three-to-four-tenths” through weight reductions and aerodynamic improvements. “They’re going to be a force to be reckoned with in the coming races,” he said, per Sky Sports F1.

Ferrari Team Principal Acknowledges Challenges

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur confirmed the team’s struggles, stating they “didn’t have the pace to fight with Mercedes and Max Verstappen.” He cited an “over-pushed” start and poor Friday practice sessions as contributing factors. “We paid the price for a poor Friday and not doing enough long stints,” Vasseur told Sky Sports F1. The team aims to address technical issues ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, which begins on July 12.

Leclerc’s Critique of Setup and Tire Management

Leclerc, who criticized his tires as “****” over the radio, described the weekend as “pretty bad.” He struggled with rear tire degradation and overheating, stating, “The rear was never there, I was just sliding around.” Leclerc noted the sensitivity of modern F1 cars, adding, “As soon as you are not in the right place with set-up, you pay the price a lot.”

Ferrari’s next opportunity to close the gap comes at Silverstone, where the team will aim to implement lessons from Austria. The British Grand Prix, featuring a Sprint format, will be live-streamed on Sky Sports F1 starting July 12.