Just In: High-Speed Drama as two veteran F1 star clashes in Controversial Racing Incident.
Max Verstappen has been accused of “fiendish defending” in his controversial collision with Lando Norris at the F1 Austrian Grand Prix.
The close friends and rivals came to blows during a fierce battle for victory in Austria on Lap 64 of 71 at the Red Bull Ring, with both drivers ending up with damage which wrecked their respective shots at the win.
Norris was forced to retire, while Verstappen recovered to the pits before finishing fifth, meaning he was still able to extend his championship lead.
Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, Damon Hill analysed the incident which he believes “robbed a fantastic climax to the race”.
“The tension built up beautiful and I think we were a little bit robbed of a fantastic climax to the race,” said the 1996 F1 world champion.
“We’ll never know what the outcome would have been. It looked to me like Lando had the pace and that’s why Max had to do his, well, I’m going to call it fiendish defending, I’m sorry.
“Because I think that Max has got a reputation of not willingly giving up the lead without a massive fight. Okay, if you know that about Max, you have to approach him with a great deal of caution.
“But we have got these rules about how you go about racing. Now, the question is, did he break those rules? Or did Lando get a little bit too defensive in his rights as a racing driver to stand his ground?
