Hamilton ready to explain himself to Vettel 'off the track'

If the Azerbaijan GP won by Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) was particularly eventful, the duel between Lewis Hamilton et Sebastian Vettel promises to generate a lot of ink.

While Lewis Hamilton was leading the race ahead of his opponent for the title during a restart, the driver Mercedes suddenly braked at the exit of a corner shortly before the safety car re-entered. Sebastian Vettel was unable to avoid the W08 and damaged his front wing. Things got worse when the German came up to the Briton and swerved, hitting the Silver Arrow.

“If he wants to prove he’s a man, we can settle that off the track, face to face,” warned Lewis Hamilton. It is irresponsible to drive like this, driving dangerously and endangering other drivers. The consequences could have even been worse. What image does it give to young spectators to see a world champion act like this? »

If Sebastian Vettel was penalized with a 10-second stop & go for his action and 3 penalty points on his license, the driver Ferrari was able to take 4th place ahead of Lewis Hamilton who finds himself 14 points behind the Championship leader. The Briton lost time by returning to the pits to fix his cockpit protection which was threatening to come off.

“I controlled my pace and slowed down in the same place as during the previous restarts, assures Lewis Hamilton. He must have been sleeping and he bumped into me. Deliberately hitting a driver by putting himself on his level and getting away with a 4th place… I think he disgraced himself today. »

Discover the analysis of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix carried out by our special correspondents in issue 2120 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.