'What Lewis did to Max at Monza, that really shouldn't be allowed'

Max Verstappen has a grid penalty of at least three places at the Russian Grand Prix this weekend. The Dutchman was blamed for the incident with Lewis Hamilton in Italy, although Nick Catsburg doubts the justification.

The racing driver believes that drivers should be able to go through a bend together and sees that almost all drivers choose to push the opponent to the outside. "You do that because you can get away with it," he stated in Formula 1 Café on Ziggo Sport. "I actually think we shouldn't get away with it. What Lewis did to Max at Monza, that really shouldn't be allowed. He just doesn't give him any space. Nine times out of ten Lewis will take the easy way out, like in Imola and Barcelona, but Max is not like that. He lets him stand and then you're up against each other."

Tom Coronel thinks Verstappen deserves the necessary respect on the track. "The tactic is of course: if you see Max in your mirrors and next to you, then you better get a new pair of underpants. After all, it's very simple: you get eaten up. Then you've just lost him."

Verstappen is currently five points ahead of Hamilton in the world championship. At the GP of Russia Mercedes is the favourite for the victory.