Hamilton / Verstappen Tension

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In the 10th race of 2021, the Grand Prix of Great Britain, the accident of Hamilton and Verstappen managed to overshadow the entire race. The day before the race, a sprint qualifying race was held for the first time in Formula 1 history and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won the first place. In second place was the experienced Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton with a difference of 1.430, while another Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas was in third place.

At the start of race day, Hamilton and Verstappen were getting close. At some points, Hamilton pushed Verstappen hard but was unable to overtake him. At the Copse bend, the cat was out of the bag, so to speak.

What happened at the Copse bend

The two had been getting close and now contact was imminent. As second-placed Hamilton squeezed his rival, his left front tire touched Verstappen's right rear tire, sending the Dutch Red Bull driver spinning into the barriers.

A 10-second penalty for this action saw Hamilton continue the race, while Verstappen was hospitalized after his car spun into the barriers. Although the 10-second penalty was disliked and the Red Bull team appealed for more sanctions, the result did not change. Meanwhile, it was stated that the Dutch pilot was exposed to 51G force during the accident.

"It was disrespectful to celebrate while I was in hospital"

Verstappen, who was hospitalized after the harrowing crash, posted on his social media account that it was "disrespectful and unsportsmanlike to watch Hamilton's celebrations while in hospital" as he watched the end-of-race celebrations on TV.