Some F1 fans on Twitter were not best pleased with the stewards’ reluctance to penalise Max Verstappen for running Lewis Hamilton off the track during the Sao Paulo GP.
Hamilton, who started tenth on the grid, took full advantage of the Mercedes’ straight-line speed to fly up to second place, ahead of Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.
After breezing past one Red Bull, Hamilton fancied his chances of overtaking the other. As the two drivers approached turn four at Interlagos, Hamilton made his move.
For a moment it appeared as though the Briton had seized first-place, but Verstappen was not prepared to surrender his position and instead eased Hamilton off the track.
Verstappen and Hamilton almost clash 😬
Both drivers run wide in the fight for victory at the #BrazilGP🇧🇷
All the details over on the #SkyF1 blog ⬇️
📺 @SkySportsF1
💻 https://t.co/dsFCYRqRzo#F1— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 14, 2021
MORE: (Video) Defeated Lewis Hamilton gives frank and honest assessment of Mexican Grand Prix
Both drivers were forced to drive through the dirt, with Hamilton being left with nowhere to go, yet the stewards did not penalise Verstappen for his actions.
With Hamilton having endured a weekend of punishment and setbacks, it was another kick in the teeth for him, Mercedes and the supporters, many of whom took to Twitter to share their displeasure…
LAP 53/71
Stewards confirm no investigation necessary for the incident between Vertsappen and Hamilton #BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/0fN72pZVqq
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 14, 2021
Because it’ll show him clearly turning into Lewis just like we having seen him turn into bottas on turn onw
— Fin (@UTDFIN5) November 14, 2021
Disgrace from the FIA, first the disqualification for 0.2mm now this. Trying to let Max win so bad they aren’t even hiding it
— 9〽️ (@R9cboys) November 14, 2021
That should have been a penalty. If nothing it should have been a black and white flag. Especially after having been investigated at the start of the race. Then he weaves. AND THEN he laughs at the idea of getting safety flags waved at him. 🙄🤯
— Naomi J B Best (@NBowdlerBest) November 14, 2021
Jokers, you only have to look at the angle of the car to see that he didn’t try to make the corner. No lock up. Think they tried everything to stop Hamilton winning, didn’t work tho.
— rob emery (@emmo1968) November 14, 2021
If Verstappen doesn’t get punished for that move then this sport is a farce.
— Zlatan’s burner🇮🇹 (@manlikefola_) November 14, 2021
Aggressive Verstappen caught weaving on the straight and his answer is to say “Hi”! Sums him up really! This GP has just shown the world Lewis is the best driver on that grid…
— Paul Bennett (@PBrunning18) November 14, 2021
Verstappen is unlikely to care what people are saying about him on social media, should he be on top of the Driver Standings come the end of the season.
There are three races left to go – Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi. Can Hamilton overcome Verstappen and the FIA to win number eight? We’ll have to wait and see…
