Former F1 driver identifies "macho behaviour" in Hamilton's duel with Verstappen

Former Formula 1 driver Jan Lammers did not expect Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton to meet each other on track during the Italian Grand Prix. The NOS analyst says in his employer's podcast that he thinks Hamilton also owes it to himself to stay scoreless at Monza last weekend.

"Absolutely overwhelming for everybody, I think," Lammers said about the crash. Verstappen's pit stop lasted 11 seconds and he looked set to lose his position to Hamilton anyway. However, the seven-time world champion also stopped for more than four seconds and that in combination with a great first lap by the Dutchman ensured contact was eventually made.

Penalty for Verstappen

Verstappen was given a grid penalty of three places for the Russian Grand Prix on 26 September. Lammers: "They tried to give Max a similar penalty as at Silverstone with Hamilton. I can understand that. They both failed to finish, so you have to give out a grid penalty. That corresponds with the ten seconds time penalty that Hamilton has had. But one important difference is that Hamilton was able to drive on and get maximum points and Max just scores zero points here," he explained.

Damon Hill suggested Verstappen collided with Hamilton on purpose, something Toto Wolff also seemed to suggest. Lammers does not believe Verstappen spontaneously decided to drive his RB16B into the car of his World Championship rival. According to the Dutchman who has started 23 Grands Prix, that simply does not occur to a racer in the heat of the moment.

Max and Lewis do not give way

However, it could be that this scenario was discussed with Red Bull beforehand. "He may have agreed with the team: 'If Hamilton seeks contact, I won't avoid it'. That would always work out in his favour. I think it's more unwise of Hamilton that he doesn't actually take that opportunity to win and take points on Max. That is because of a bit of 'macho behaviour' of those two men, they both didn't want to give anything away, they were fighting to be the toughest man in the gravel trap," Lammers concludes.