Jacques Villeneuve has offered an explanation for Lewis Hamilton only crashing with Max Verstappen.
Title rivals Hamilton and Verstappen collided for the second time this season, this time at the Italian GP. Both drivers did not want to yield to the other, and that kind of thing rarely works in F1. As expected, Hamilton and Verstappen crashed and failed to finish. It was the first time that both the two championship contenders did not cross the finish line, the first time being the Azerbaijan GP.
The last time Hamilton and Verstappen collided was at Silverstone. In fact, Hamilton has only crashed into Verstappen this season. Everywhere else, he has been safe and secure, and has raced with respect.
Villeneuve weighed in on this situation, and offered an explanation for Hamilton only crashing with Verstappen.
“These two can’t stay on the edge,” the former Williams driver said, speaking to Corriere Della Sera.
“Lewis doesn’t usually make these mistakes, it only happens to him with Max. Verstappen is always very aggressive, with Hamilton he is even more aggressive.
“If you put them together in the same corner they exaggerate, but these moments are part of F1.”
Penalties – yeah or nah?
Villeneuve then talked about Verstappen receiving a three-place grid penalty for his actions. The Dutchman will serve the penalty at the Russian GP, and he is not happy about it. Nevertheless, Villeneuve warned that penalties are all well and good, but giving one for every incident would make drivers hesitant while racing.
“If every time a penalty is triggered there will be no more competition because no one will try to overtake,” the Canadian legend explained.
Verstappen and Hamilton meet next at the Russian GP. Even if the Red Bull driver takes pole position, he will have to start from fourth position. Mercedes and Hamilton thus hold the advantage at Sochi, and will look to put pressure on their rivals.
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