Max Verstappen calls for a penalty for Lewis Hamilton: Here’s what the Ferrari star has to say

This duel had Formula 1 fans on the edge of their seats: Lewis Hamilton in his Ferrari and Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) were locked in a fierce battle at the Austrian Grand Prix, as if it were the World Championship final.

According to four-time Formula 1 champion Verstappen, things weren’t always above board. The 28-year-old Dutchman radioed in at one point: “That’s a clear penalty.”

Verstappen believes that seven-time world champion Hamilton’s defence was a little too aggressive. Max had overtaken his old rival at Turn 3, but the clever Hamilton countered on the run down to Turn 4. The two exceptional drivers then remained side by side until Max ran out of room on the outside of Turn 6 and the Red Bull Racing car sent a shower of gravel flying. It was then that Verstappen’s radio message came through.

The race stewards announced that they intended to take a closer look at the incident. But shortly afterwards, a message flashed across the relevant screens: no further action required. The stewards apparently believe that this duel was tough, but remained within the bounds of what is permitted.

Ultimately, the race ended with Hamilton in P5, whilst Verstappen moved up to the slipstream of leader George Russell and finished second.

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After the entertaining World Championship race, the Englishman was asked about his duel with Verstappen and also about Max’s claim that a penalty was warranted here.

Hamilton said: “Max tried to pass on the outside. You don’t overtake a world champion on the outside. I, for one, wouldn’t dare do that to him and would hope I could hold my line. He was behind at the apex, so he must know he would have been better off easing off the throttle.”