IMOLA, Italy, CMC – In a display of sportsmanship, British race car driver Lewis Hamilton took full responsibility for impeding three-time defending world champion Max Verstappen of the Netherlands during the second free practice on Friday for the Emilia-Romagna Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion with Grenadian heritage said he tried to apologize to Verstappen. Still, the Dutchman was too frustrated after struggling with the balance of his Red Bull car on the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit.
Verstappen encountered a slow-moving Hamilton at the Villeneuve chicane and was forced to swerve aggressively across the track to convey his displeasure to the Mercedes driver.
Onboard footage captured a moment of tension, with Hamilton raising his hand in apology as Verstappen, visibly frustrated, finished a distant seventh and made a series of uncharacteristic mistakes throughout the opening day.
“I was on a cool-down lap,” Hamilton said. “I thought I was well clear, but suddenly, he was right on me, and ultimately, it was my mistake. I tried to apologize, but he was too frustrated.”
Hamilton secured a respectable fourth place, leading his Mercedes teammate George Russell, after their team implemented a series of upgrades for this GP in a bid to revitalize their season and secure their first podium finish.
“It’s been a good start to the weekend,” Hamilton said. “We’re a lot closer than we have been, but we’ll see how [Saturday] goes.
“I’m grateful to everyone back at the factory for pushing so hard to bring these upgrades because we are seeing improvements in the car, and our performance is on track.”
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of France ended the session on top after setting the fastest lap, led by McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia and RB Racing driver Yuki Tsunoda of Japan.
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