Formula 1 legend Mika Häkkinen recently commented on the question that currently seems to be on everyone’s lips. Did Max Verstappen put Lewis Hamilton on the brakes?
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On lap 37, Verstappen had received instructions to let his championship rival overtake him. But the Mercedes crashed into his back instead of gently driving past a slowing down Verstappen.
As a result, Verstappen was fined for dangerous driving. And it split everyone as to whether it was a racing accident or whether the Red Bull driver was deliberately slowing down.
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And according to Häkkinen, Verstappen didn’t slow down Hamilton. He wrote: “I don’t think Max Lewis is ‘testing brakes’ – that is, he was trying to force a collision that could easily have thrown both cars out of the race.”
“Instead, he tried to force Lewis to overtake him at that point. However, the way he slowed and the position of his car on the track were definitely an issue. “
“If you have to let a car pass, there is only one way to do it safely. That means making a clear move to the side, taking the gas lightly and allowing the natural speed difference so your competitor can overtake you again, ”wrote Häkkinen.
Häkkinen believes the FIA’s penalty kick against Max Verstappen sent a message for Abu Dhabi
The former McLaren driver wrote that the FIA ”rightly imposed a penalty” after the race in Jeddah. He stated that the penalty had sent a loud and clear message to everyone for the Abu Dhabi race.
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The message read: “Dangerous driving will result in a penalty and if the FIA sees a repeat of this type of driving in Abu Dhabi I believe the penalty will be severe and immediate.”
Formula 1 F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – December 5, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen can be seen as the session is temporarily interrupted Pool via REUTERS / Andrej Isakovic
Yes, the FIA’s message is very clear. But we could still see dramatic moments of extreme tension in Abu Dhabi. And it’s understandable too. After a full season of rocking each other in the championship, both protagonists won’t shy away from a small moment of antagonism.
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Especially when you consider what there is to be won and what to lose.
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The post McLaren F1 legend gives his honest opinion on the “brake tests” Hamilton-Verstappen saga first appeared on monter-une-startup.
