Max Verstappen was summoned to the Stewards after a collision with Lewis Hamilton in the Saudi Arabian Grand prix. PHOTO: F1.com

BRENDAN LINES DECEMBER 6, 2021

THE post-race fireworks ignited heated words from championship combatants Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in the wake of a controversial Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Hamilton took aim at driving standards in the post-race press conference after his wheel-to-wheel battle with the Red Bull driver.

“It was clear that others around us were willing to take it to all sorts of levels in order to overtake,” Hamilton said.

The Brit was open in his on-track criticism of Verstappen’s tactics on team radio saying “he brake tested me” after Hamilton’s Lap 37 collision into the Dutchman’s slowing car, while surrendering the lead after a Turn 1 incident earlier in the lap — attracting a five-second penalty.

“I didn’t quite understand why all of a sudden he hit the brakes quite heavily and then I ran into the back of him and then he moved on so I didn’t exactly understand what was going on,” Hamilton said, indicating he did not know Verstappen would let him pass.

“And then I got a message afterwards that he was going to let us past so it was a bit confusing.”

Verstappen dismissed the incident after the race over team radio that he disagreed with his five-second penalty.

“Luckily the fans have a clear mind about racing”.

“Because what happened today is unbelievable,” he continued. “I’m just trying to race.

“This sport is more about penalties than racing. For me this is not Formula 1.”

Stewards will conduct a post-race investigation to decide if  Verstappen brake tested Hamilton — in accordance with Article 2 of the regulations.