Lewis Hamilton & Mercedes have suggested Ferrari are using “interesting tactics” after Kimi Raikkonen touched the Briton on the opening lap at the British Grand Prix.
The local favourite made a bad start from pole and was overtaken by both Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas in the first two corners before the second Ferrari driver locked his front-left approaching Turn 3 and couldn’t avoid spinning Hamilton around.
Though he would recover to finish second, thanks to a quick recovery through the field and two Safety Cars, the current world champion was in no mood to talk immediately after the race, storming to the podium instead of conducting an interview in parc ferme, but later would open up on his grievances.
“[It was] interesting tactics, I would say, from their side but we will do what we can to fight them and improve in the next races but I am so grateful for all the support that we had here,” he told the crowd at Silverstone.
“All l would say is that it’s two races in which a Ferrari has taken out a Mercedes. Valtteri and I have both lost out in those situations.”
Though initially Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff declared it a “racing incident”, he admits some within the team are also left with reservations.
“In [technical director] James Allison’s words, ‘do you think it is deliberate or incompetence?’,” he told Sky Sports. “So this leaves us with a judgement.”
Ferrari, however, were quick to respond, with Vettel appearing surprised the idea of any intention was even been considered.
“It’s quite silly to think that anything that happened was deliberate,” said the championship leader. “I, at least, would struggle to be that precise and take somebody out.
“In France, I lost my wing, so I screwed my race. I think it’s easy to attack and have a great move and easy to have an incident.
“I only saw it briefly but I don’t think there was any intention and I find it a bit unnecessary to even go there.”
Also Read:
Team principal Maurizio Arrivabene was equally as shocked to hear a former Scuderia member suggest there was any malice to what occurred.
“Who is incompetent? Kimi? Who is he to judge what the drivers are doing in the car?” he told Sky Italia. “If he really said something like that, he should be ashamed!
“Allison worked at Maranello for many years, but now we are here in England teaching him to be a gentleman.
“I accept it from [TV pundit] Jacques Villeneuve because he was a driver. But this guy?”
