Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

The story behind Verstappen’s unique Nürburgring Mercedes setup

NLS
The story behind Verstappen’s unique Nürburgring Mercedes setup

How Williams aims to reach "a sensible position" in F1 2026 after double-score Miami

Feature
Formula 1
How Williams aims to reach "a sensible position" in F1 2026 after double-score Miami

Why Verstappen's preparations have left GT rivals in awe

Endurance
Why Verstappen's preparations have left GT rivals in awe

Nurburgring 24 Hours: Verstappen to start debut from fourth, Lamborghini takes 1-2 in qualifying

Feature
NLS
Nurburgring 24 Hours: Verstappen to start debut from fourth, Lamborghini takes 1-2 in qualifying

Former FIA aero chief officially joins Alpine in senior F1 role

Formula 1
Former FIA aero chief officially joins Alpine in senior F1 role

Remembering a lost Italian F1 hero 40 years on

Feature
Formula 1
Remembering a lost Italian F1 hero 40 years on

Pramac Yamaha set to sign Guevara for the 2027 MotoGP season

MotoGP
Catalan GP
Pramac Yamaha set to sign Guevara for the 2027 MotoGP season

Nurburgring 24 Hours: Verstappen qualifies for pole shootout with sixth in TQ2

Feature
NLS
Nurburgring 24 Hours: Verstappen qualifies for pole shootout with sixth in TQ2

Max Verstappen slams Ferrari's Vettel/Raikkonen after Spa collision

Max Verstappen has hit out at Ferrari Formula 1 drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel after an incident-packed Belgian Grand Prix

Red Bull driver Verstappen collided with the Ferraris at the first corner as all three cars tried to get around the La Source hairpin side-by-side, and he had more run-ins with Raikkonen as they fought back through the field later in the race.

Raikkonen was heavily critical of Verstappen on the radio, saying "his only interest is pushing me off the circuit completely" and later calling his driving "fucking ridiculous".

Raikkonen was particularly unhappy with Verstappen moving late to defend his position on the Kemmel Straight, which he claimed forced him to brake at full speed to avoid an accident.

Raikkonen: Verstappen will have a massive accident

When asked by TV crews if he needs to tone down his driving, Verstappen said: "To be honest, it's a big lie.

"I'm just defending my position and if somebody doesn't like it it's his own problem.

"After Turn 1 when they do something like that, I'm not going to give up my position that easily afterwards."

Raikkonen added: "I'm all up for fair battles and close racing but when I have to back off on the straight when I'm making my move, that's not correct.

"I had to brake from full speed. I haven't had that with any other driver."

The teenager put most of the blame for the "ridiculous" first-corner collision on Vettel, who was on the outside going into the corner, with Raikkonen in the middle.

"My start wasn't great but I dived on the inside, I didn't lock a wheel, so I was easily making the corner," said Verstappen.

"But they just kept squeezing me and at one point I was on the inside, Kimi was squeezing, but then Sebastian just turned in on both of us.

"He knows he is on the outside and he just turns into the corner where there are two other cars.

"That took my front wing, I had a lot of damage and my floor got destroyed, so from there the race was gone."

Verstappen could only recover to 11th, missing out on points, as he struggled for pace with his damaged car.

Previous article Nico Rosberg wins Belgian GP as Lewis Hamilton charges to third
Next article McLaren's Belgian GP performance 'great news' - Fernando Alonso

Top Comments

Latest news