
Lewis Hamilton says that he was surprised that Max Verstappen quickly left from their crash scene in Italian Grand Prix without checking that he was uninjured.
On lap 26, Verstappen approached the turn one at 225mph as Hamilton exited the pit-lane. Verstappen attempted to squeeze past Hamilton at the right-left chicane but ran off the track and on to the kerbs.
The Red Bull ace was sent out of control and flying into Hamilton’s path, with the rear-right wheel crushing the top of Hamilton’s Mercedes.
Hamilton was struck on the head by Verstappen’s right rear wheel and has been left with neck pains that he thinks will need attention from a specialist.
“I definitely didn’t think Max would lose control over the kerb and run into me,” said Hamilton.
“Looking back at the footage, it obviously happened very quick. Being in the car, all I could think of was getting going and how many positions I was losing.
“I’m still just in race mode, so it’s just like: how can I get going again? I’m sitting there in a little bit of pain, but just like come on let’s go. But unfortunately, the car wouldn’t move.
“I did see Max get out and just walk by. I found that a little bit surprising, because ultimately, I think when we go out, and when we do have incidents, the first thing we want is make sure if the guy that we crashed into or we collided with is okay.
“But the good thing is I was able to get out. It was a long walk back, but we live to fight another day.”
“I’m in a little bit of pain, to honest,” he said. “It’s actually I think an adrenaline rush at the time and it’s feeling like it’s going to get a bit worse as the adrenaline rushes off.
“But I’ll work with [physio] Ange [Cullen] to fix it. I think honestly, I feel very, very fortunate today.
“Thank God for the halo that ultimately I think saved me and saved my neck. I think in the actual moment, it was a big hit. But all I could think of is could I get going again.”