Hamilton-Verstappen Q1 run-in ‘nothing out of the ordinary’

The former arch rivals were seen squabbling for track position when they found themselves at the back of the queue before the final runs of Q1 at Silverstone. 

Hamilton had appeared to back Verstappen up coming out of the pits and the 2021 protagonists proceeded to go wheel-to-wheel down the Wellington Straight. 

Verstappen squeezed past Hamilton into Brooklands as the seven-time world champion was weaving in a bid to generate heat into his soft tyres prior to his final run of Q1. Both were able to get in a lap just before the chequered flag was waved. 

It marked the second time in two races that the pair have had a close shave during a qualifying session, with Wolff accusing Verstappen of committing a “revenge foul” against Hamilton in Austria. 

Asked about the latest incident, Wolff said: “I think this is normal modus operandi. 

“You try to have good track position and the clock is ticking down so you are making sure you get your lap in. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

Verstappen explained: “No, it was just on the outlap, I had very cold tyres because most of the people in front of me had new tyres, but I stayed on my used set. 

“I just tried to get by, but of course he was trying to warm the tyres, so it took a bit of time to find a bit of space to go through.”   

Hamilton also downplayed the incident, insisting: “I wasn’t racing anybody.”