Hamilton blames Verstappen for clash at F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton put the blame onto Max Verstappen for their clash at the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix. 
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1

The Mercedes and Red Bull drivers made dramatic contact at Turn 1 shortly after the race resumed after a Safety Car.

Hamilton fumed via his team radio: “That was no racing incident, mate!”

Verstappen said to his team: "He didn't give me space. Where did they expect me to go? He just closed the door. But it doesn't matter."

Sky's Martin Brundle said: "I think Max earned the right to a little more space."

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18 and Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W13 make contact in the race. Formula 1
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18 and Lewis Hamilton (GBR)…

George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W13 leads as Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18 and Lewis Hamilton (GBR)
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W13 leads as Max Verstappen (NLD) Red…

Lewis Hamilton (GBR), Mercedes AMG F1 and Max Verstappen (NLD), Red Bull Racing Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 21,
Lewis Hamilton (GBR), Mercedes AMG F1 and Max Verstappen (NLD), Red Bull…

Verstappen needed to pit for a new front wing, coming off worse after the clash.

Hamilton was second, Verstappen third, at the time of contact behind George Russell. But they both dropped down the order as a result.

Verstappen was given a five-second time penalty for the incident.

Daniel Ricciardo and Kevin Magnussen had already crashed out in the early exchanges, causing the Safety Car.

Mercedes teammates told to race each other

Russell asked via his team radio, while he was ahead of Hamilton: "What are we doing? Are we racing? Or securing the one-two."

The reply was: "You are racing. Just be respectful."

Russell eventually held off Hamilton to win the race, and lead a Mercedes 1-2. It was the team's first victory of 2022.

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