MAX VERSTAPPEN has sensationally accused Lewis Hamilton of breaking F1 rules during the Australian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman, who won the chaotic Australian Grand Prix under a safety car, went wheel-to-wheel with Hamilton on lap one.
The Brit dived up the inside of Verstappen at turn three, putting him in position to overtake as the Red Bull was forced deep into the corner.
However, a furious Verstappen believed the move was not legal due to him being forced off track.
Over the team radio he fumed: “He pushed me off the track. I was ahead at the apex, he pushed me off.”
When overtaking in F1 a reasonable space needs to left to ensure the other driver does not go off track.
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However, the race stewards deemed the incident not to be worthy of a penalty.
After the race Verstappen doubled down, saying: “From my side, I just tried to avoid contact.
“It’s quite clear in the rules what you’re allowed to do on the outside, but clearly it’s not followed.
“It’s okay, we had good pace and we passed them anyway, but it’s something for the next race to take into account.”
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Hamilton would go on to finish second, revealing he was “so happy” to be back on the podium.
But this did not stop him from lambasting his car while describing Red Bull as in “another league”.
Verstappen claimed his first-ever victory in Australia with today’s win, also seeing him pick up his second win of the season.
On the win, the two-time champion said: “It’s great to win here – my first win, it’s been a while for the team as well so very very happy.”
Drama had unfolded throughout the race, with THREE red flag incidents and George Russell’s car setting ON FIRE mid-race.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
