Formula 1 should not do anything to alleviate the fierce rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, says Grand Prix winner Mark Webber.
The Australian has called on the category to accept the rivalry between the two star drivers and the growing tension between the Mercedes and Red Bull teams after the controversial clash at Silverstone on the first lap.
Hamilton was given a 10-second time penalty for his role in the clash – resulting in a 51g impact for Verstappen – but still fought his way back to win the British Grand Prix.
This led to violent reactions from the Red Bull camp, Hamilton accused Christian Horner of dirty driving, while Helmut Marko even demanded that he be put on the bench for a race.
During a W-Series media call on Tuesday, Webber was asked if Formula 1 should step in to stop the escalation of the rivalry.
His answer was a resounding no, the nine-time Grand Prix winner was hoping that we will see even more intense wheel-to-wheel action as the season progresses.
“It’s brilliant. It’s exactly what we want,” he said.
“I think it was one of the best first laps we’ve seen in a long time. It comes as they’ve had some brilliant wheel-to-wheel fights – Barcelona, Imola, Bahrain. We all knew this was coming. Bring more of these with you.
“The feeling of the occasion at Silverstone was simply extraordinary, it was one of the best Grand Prix I’ve seen in a long time. The fans, 120,000 there on race day. The two big boys in the front row.
“A brilliant first lap – they narrowly missed each other on exit turn 1, wheel to wheel on the Brooklands run, and the Lewis was obviously in Copse and it didn’t quite work out.”
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The British GP triumph for Hamilton and DNF for Verstappen brought the fight for the title on a knife’s edge, the Dutchman now only leads eight points in the overall standings.
Looking at the Hungarian GP this weekend, Webber says Verstappen should have the car advantage but that Hamilton has proven in the past that he can win the Hungaroring with inferior equipment.
“I think Lewis is magical in Budapest, he’s absolutely phenomenal on this track,” said Webber. “Attention, Max is also practical.
“I think the Red Bull will be strong at this track so Max could have some sort of Red Bull Ring weekend – pole and then disappear. Lewis couldn’t beat him.
“But let’s see. As I said, Hamilton won many races with below-average machines at the Hungaroring. Races he had no right to win, but he won. Hamilton has to be in top form again.” Verstappen is … you know, he’s a gladiator, that’s exactly what we expect from him.
“It’s going to be a good weekend.”
Webber also gave a tip for further clashes between the two contenders as they battle for the 2021 crown.
“Every race is important now, and inevitably there will be more carbon fiber between the two that blow up,” he added.
“But happy days, that’s why we watch the sport. Two of the best that challenge it.”
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