Hamilton disagrees with Verstappen: 'I didn't push him off the track'
General
- GPblog.com
Lewis Hamilton does not think he pushed Max Verstappen off the track in turn three. The two world champions did not hit each other in the end and called the fight "pretty good", but Verstappen said earlier that he does not think Hamilton's action was according to the rules.
Verstappen had a poor start to the Australian Grand Prix. The Dutchman was overtaken in turn one by George Russell, and then Verstappen was passed by the other Mercedes driver in turn three. In the end, Verstappen managed to overtake Hamilton again and won the race.
Hamilton's overtake
The two-time world champion felt Hamilton's overtaking action was not according to the rules. The Briton disagreed and called the fight 'pretty decent'. "I thought it was pretty decent. I mean, he braked early and I braked late and I was fully up the inside and I think we both left space for each other. I didn't run him off the road and he didn't turn in on me. So we didn't touch and that’s racing," the Briton said at the press conference.
Hamilton on Alonso
After Verstappen overtook Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and the Briton found themselves battling for second position. The gap widened at times and then narrowed again, but the Spaniard failed to get within DRS distance of the seven-time world champion.
"I think Fernando's a little bit quicker this afternoon. I mean, he was in my tow, so I think we were probably slightly quicker on the straight and he was quicker through all the corners. So I think we definitely have some performance to find. It definitely wasn’t easy keeping him at bay, and keeping them out of the DRS zone."