Horner defends the 'torpedo' Verstappen – F1 Team – Formula 1

"I have been attacked like a torpedo by Max", he has declared Lewis Hamilton commenting on what happened at the first corner of the Mexican Grand Prix. The fifth edition in the modern era of the race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, won by the Mercedes champion, in fact had a turbulent start: after having undergone a decisive defensive maneuver by Sebastian Vettel, the five-time world champion tried to preserve the third position from the attack of Max Verstappen. The two, however, came into contact, with consequent damage to both cars.

Hamilton: "Vettel tried to throw me out, Verstappen attacked me"

Despite the maneuver to the limit, the commissioners decided to evaluate what happened between Hamilton and the Dutch, and the subsequent contact between the latter and Bottas, as simple racing accidents. The team leader of the Milton Keynes team also defended the bishop Red Bull Christian Horner: "In reality Max has wasted time with the Ferraris", he has declared: "He was ahead of Hamilton, but he had to brake in advance, which allowed Lewis to approach and look for overtaking outside. Hamilton then had a bit of tank-slapper (lateral stress in case of depression, which pushes the tire to the side causing an elastic deformation, ed), andd both ended up on the grass. It was a hard maneuver".

However, the British manager does not think that his pilot has committed an incorrect action against the bishop Mercedes: "The commissioners decided that no investigation was needed on the contact at the first corner, which caused both pilots to lose positions.". Horner also analyzed the contact made with Bottas during the Dutch comeback: "Max has been cut off the curve from Valtteri's front wing", he has declared: "He was just unlucky. Some days may go in your favor, others against". According to English, without the puncture caused by the impact with the Mercedes of the opponent Verstappen “it would have could try to win the race, given the speed we had".