Verstappen and Hamilton disagree: "Not happy with Pirelli explanation"

Few Dutch Formula 1 fans will have forgotten Verstappen's retirement during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. An almost perfect afternoon on the street circuit of Baku was not rewarded because of a sudden tyre blowout on the straight. After an internal investigation and a series of press releases Verstappen still isn't convinced by Pirelli's explanation, which again puts him in direct opposition to Hamilton's view.

"I’m happy of course with how everything is, let’s say, better policed. But I’m still not happy with the explanation of what happened in Baku," Verstappen expressed during the press conference after the qualifying battle. "I don't think it’s fully clear. At least for people outside, the fans. I know what happened. The team knows what happened but yeah, it’s very confusing what they put out."

At the same time, Verstappen stressed the importance of safety, in a way that seems to refer to Pirelli's secrecy regarding the cause of the crash in Baku. "But, it’s fine. Life goes on. We just keep on going. Hopefully, from now on we can just be safe in the car, and nothing happens", Verstappen said.

Asked for his take on the situation, Hamilton appears to have a less critical view of Pirelli. "I was surprised that things needed clarifying because we thought it was clear – but clearly not," said the driver.

Hamilton continued: "I am grateful that the FIA have clarified the steps that people need to take, and I heard they’re obviously putting things in place to make sure policing is done better, so that’s all we can ask for."