Verstappen: “No need to see the footage again because I was behind the wheel”

True to his nature as an attacker, Max Verstappen cracked several spikes this Thursday from Qatar where the Formula 1 made a stop for the first time in its history and ended a grueling triple meeting after the Mexican and Brazilian rounds.

As F1 prepares to complete a tremendously intense 2021 campaign with 3 meetings in the Gulf, the events at Interlagos are still on everyone's minds and liven up the conversations in the Losail paddock.

Mercedes has indeed decided to exercise its right of review last Tuesday to challenge the decision of the São Paulo stewards not to investigate the virile skirmish between Verstappen and his rival Lewis Hamilton on the 48th lap of the last Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champions believe that the on-board camera footage of the Red Bull of the Dutchman, broadcast after the race, constitute new evidence to be brought into the file.

Before the commissioners decided to decide on the merits of the right of review, Verstappen already had his opinion on the matter. Asked at a press conference this Thursday in Qatar to find out if he had reviewed the images of the incident, the leader of the world championship was pure and efficient.

« I didn't need to see the footage again because I was driving so I know what happened, he replied, smiling. I think it was a great battle and I had a lot of fun. And then in the end, they won the race on a regular basis ».

Hamilton indeed managed to overtake his opponent 10 laps later, completing a superb comeback in two stages to win, he who had been disqualified and penalized with a step back on the grid for a non-regulatory engine change.

« As a driver, we know what we can and cannot do behind the wheel, added Verstappen, not without a touch of irony. The fight was intense, the tires were a little damaged, we braked late. If I had turned more vigorously to the left, I would have spun. That's what pilots do, you try They try to control their car ».

The Red Bull leader said he was not surprised by the decision to Mercedes. " That's how it works, he just blurted out. ».

Would he be annoyed at being penalized and therefore potentially losing points when only 14 points separate him from Hamilton with 3 races remaining?

« With ifs, ifs, and more ifs, etc.. he replied, with a hint of annoyance. It wouldn't be the end of the world. But I don't expect that because I think it was a great fight, virile but correct, between two contenders for the world crown.

It wouldn't have been an easy overtake in any case because it's not my type. And that's normal when you're fighting for a world champion title. ».

In this case, we almost have the feeling that the off-track rivalry between the teams is more harmful than the fight on the tarmac between their respective champions.

« I think it's pretty normal when you have two teams fighting and not just one with two drivers., concluded Verstappen. I concentrate on the track, without worrying about the rest, which is beyond my power ».