Max Verstappen Blames Ferrari After Hamilton Clash

Max Verstappen expressed frustration toward Ferrari following a tense qualifying incident with Lewis Hamilton at the Monaco Grand Prix. The clash occurred during the opening stage of qualifying on May 24 at Massenet, where Hamilton was cruising on the racing line just as Verstappen was pushing on a hot lap.

The stewards launched an investigation, requiring both drivers to provide their accounts.

Verstappen did not blame Hamilton for the near-miss but pointed to a communication error from Hamilton’s team, Ferrari.

Hamilton was reportedly told that Verstappen behind him was “driving slowly,” although Verstappen was actually running at speed. This misunderstanding caused Hamilton to reduce his pace unexpectedly, forcing Verstappen to take evasive action and go wide.

Hamilton quickly realized the mistake, apologized over the radio, and spoke with Verstappen after the session. Verstappen found it unsettling to encounter what felt like a slow car blocking him at a fast corner but maintained that the fault lay with Ferrari rather than Hamilton.

He described the incident as a straightforward team error, noting Hamilton usually moves aside without issue and rarely blocks other drivers intentionally. Although Verstappen did not blame Hamilton, he expects a penalty may still be imposed.

Verstappen recalled previous cases where he himself received grid drops for situations where no blocking was evident. He admitted surprise if Hamilton avoided a penalty, given that the stewards judged Hamilton to have impeded him during a flying lap regardless of intent.

Before the Monaco Grand Prix, the drivers’ championship standings were topped by McLaren, with Oscar Piastri leading on 146 points and teammate Lando Norris second at 133. Verstappen was third for Red Bull Racing with 124 points; Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc had 61, and Hamilton was just behind on 53.

In the team standings, McLaren led with 279 points, followed by Mercedes at 147, Red Bull at 131, and Ferrari with 114. Qualifying at Monaco presented challenges for several teams as drivers fought for position in narrow spaces. For more details on the Monaco Grand Prix’s unique challenges, you can explore the official Formula 1 website.

The Verstappen-Hamilton incident added extra tension to the session, which also featured Lando Norris breaking the lap record and surprising struggles for Oscar Piastri earlier in the weekend. Fans eagerly anticipate race day, watching to see if any steward penalties will affect the final starting grid.

As the season progresses, every qualifying moment and team communication holds considerable importance. Monaco is one of the most demanding tracks on the Formula 1 calendar, where quick reactions and precise communication often determine who gains the advantage.

Verstappen’s reaction underscores the critical role of teamwork at this level, and the consequences of this incident could influence the tone of upcoming races. For further insights into F1 regulations and stewarding decisions, refer to the FIA’s official documentation.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.