Max Verstappen of Red Bull has responded to reports that he “punched” Lewis Hamilton in the past after the two collided during the Italian Grand Prix.
At Monza, the two title contenders collided for the second time this season, with both drivers ending up in the gravel, earning Verstappen a three-place grid drop for the Russian Grand Prix, which Hamilton won.
The 36-year-old used the inside line into Turn 1 to defend against Verstappen, who bumped along kerbs and crashed with the seven-time world champion, beaching both cars in the gravel, with the Red Bull trapped on top of the Mercedes.
After getting hit in the head by a wheel, Hamilton stated he was suffering from a “huge headache” and was feeling constricted. However, the Dutchman was found to be more responsible for the occurrence.
Former Formula One driver Timo Glock said Verstappen would have “punched” Hamilton following a crash like that if it had happened two years earlier.
What did Timo Glock say?
In his intense duel with the Mercedes driver, Glock lauded the championship leader’s more “relaxed” attitude this season.
“Lewis never shows on the outside that he has pressure. He knows very well how to come across as calm,” Glock said to Sport1.
“Of course, he also knows that when he puts on his helmet, it all depends. But he has found a way to appear relaxed and cool.
“Max Verstappen has also managed that well so far. For me, he has made a huge leap, he has become much more relaxed, much more controlled in many ways.
“Two years ago, in a situation like the crash in Monza, he probably would have opened Lewis’ helmet and punched him. Now he leaves him on the left and thinks to himself: ‘See how you get out of this.’”
Verstappen, on the other hand, denied using aggression against the Briton when asked about it before of the race in Austin.
“I have got older and I have more experience, but I don’t necessarily think I would have punched Lewis,’ said Verstappen.
“It is just that you experience more things and you learn how to deal with the sport better – that is just a natural process.
“I have been very relaxed the whole year. I cannot speak for Lewis, but from my side, there is no real extra pressure.”
With only six races remaining and the championship on a knife’s edge, Verstappen now leads by six points heading to Austin.
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