
Ex-F1 driver and Sky Sports expert Ralf Schumacher looks ahead to the next Grand Prix exclusively at SPORT1. The second half of the season in Formula 1 begins with the race in Belgium GP on this weekend.
In this season, entire F1 society much debated one thig, when the title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were collied together at British Grand Prix lap one. The crash resulted that Max was the only man victimized. After that incident Lewis and his Mercedes made many points and clinch back on the top of the drivers’ championship.
The news source SPORT1 asked: Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff did indeed demand more respect for Hamilton after the accident with Verstappen at Silverstone.
Schumacher: I can’t understand that and think it’s a shame. Because no matter which and how many titles someone has, we are all human, mistakes can be made. For me it was a mistake by Lewis Hamilton, which of course had great consequences for Red Bull. I think it’s bad that you can’t talk about it openly. I also don’t know if it’s that bad when you’ve described Lewis’s action at Silverstone as amateurish. Lewis is not your highness; he is still a person who goes to the bathroom just like all of us. ”
SPORT1: In 2021 the rock is shaking more strongly than it has been for a long time. Was Hamilton driven into error by the strong pressure from Max Verstappen?
Schumacher: I think he just noticed in the sprint race that he had to overtake quickly in the main race. You can’t even criticize him for that. A racing driver only has a tenth of a second to make a decision. Once he has made up his mind, it is too late. So it was a miscalculation. But my god, that’s racing.
SPORT1: Verstappen is extremely strong this year, he also has a very strong car, but Lewis Hamilton is still leading in the World Cup. What are Red Bull and Verstappen doing wrong?
Schumacher: Nothing at all. One must not forget that Max, who was clearly in the lead, had a flat tire and was then cleared from the track twice without guilt, most recently by poor Bottas’ professional bowling. Here, too, as with Hamilton at Silverstone, one cannot assume any intention. From Verstappen’s point of view, it was just bad luck.