F1
Nate Saunders, General Editor, F1 3y

Max Verstappen crash cost Red Bull $1.8 million; team considering FIA action

Max Verstappen's crash at the British Grand Prix cost Red Bull approximately $1.8 million, according to team boss Christian Horner.

The team is also still considering its sporting options over the "lenient" 10-second penalty handed to Lewis Hamilton for the incident.

Verstappen and Hamilton collided on the opening lap of the race at Silverstone. Hamilton was penalised but still managed to win the race, cutting Verstappen's championship lead from 33 to seven points in the process.

The crash recorded 51 G-forces and sent Verstappen to hospital for precautionary checks.

In an article published on Friday, Horner said: "It is no secret that we felt at the time, and still feel, that Hamilton was given a light penalty for this type of incident

"Given the severity of the incident and the lenient penalty, we are reviewing all data and have the right to request a review. We are therefore still looking at the evidence and considering all of our sporting options."

This season is the first year F1's 10 teams have been restricted to a $145 buget cap, an amount which is due to be scaled down over the next few seasons, something which Horner said has made the consequences of the crash even more extreme.

"The other significant factor is the cost-cap element of this. The crash has cost us approximately $1.8 million and an accident like that has massive ramiifcations in a budget cap era."

Verstappen's only post-race comments came in the form of a tweet, in which he accused Hamilton of being unsportsmanlike for exuberently celebrating his Silverstone victory. Horner was also critical of Hamilton, who he labelled an "amateur" for his move up the inside of Copse corner.

Five days on from the incident, Horner made it clear he is sticking to his comments.

"I would like to respond to some comments I have seen from [Mercedes boss] Toto [Wolff], who is quoted as saying our comments regarding Hamilton having caused the accident were 'so personal'," he said.

"I would like to make it clear. This was an on-track incident between two of the best drivers in the world. At the point in time when you have a driver in hospital and the extent of any injuries have not yet been made clear, your car has been written off and the stewards have penalised the driver seen to be responsible, it is natural that emotion comes into play, for all involved, whether you feel wronged or victorious.

"I also felt the narrative that Max was being 'overly aggressive' at that stage was unjustified. You only have to look at the fact Max has zero penalty points on his licence and has not been found guilty of any on-track misjudgements in recent years.

"The aggressive 17-year-old F1 rookie Max Verstappen that Hamilton is referring to is not the Max Verstappen of today, just as Hamilton is not the same driver he was when he entered the sport. Both drivers are of course uncompromising in their driving style, but they are both highly skilled drivers with a great deal of experience.

"The reality is that Hamilton has met his match in a car that is now competitive, and I agree that both drivers need to show each other respect, but Hamilton was the aggressor on Sunday."

On what happened after the race, Horner added: "I am also still disappointed about the level of celebrations enjoyed in the wake of the accident.

"The Mercedes team were aware of the gravity of the crash with Max widely reported as having been hospitalised and requiring further checks.

"It is unimaginable not to inform your driver of the situation, moreover to protect your driver in case they do not show the necessary restraint in celebrating, particularly when it was as a result of an incident he was penalised for."

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