Janette Manrara, 37, has spoken out after witnessing Lewis Hamilton, 36, and Max Verstappen’s, 23, horror crash at Silverstone today. Hamilton clipped Formula One World Championship rival Verstappen on the opening lap leaving the Red Bull flying through the gravel and into a tyre wall at high speed.
Hamilton later said “He turned in on me, man” in reference to the incident as he spoke on the team radio whilst stewards placed the incident under investigation before concluding Hamilton was at fault.
There was huge debate over the potential penalty for Hamilton prior to the restart, with Red Bull team boss Christian Horner calling race director Michael Masi to express his belief Hamilton was firmly to blame.
“Michael, look, that corner, he was never anywhere near alongside,” Horner said.
“Every driver who has driven at this circuit knows you do not stick a wheel up the inside at Copse.
“You could’ve had a massive accident, thank god he’s walked away unscathed. I hope you’re going to deal with it appropriately.”
Horner later gave an update on Verstappen to Sky Sports, stating: “Thank god he walked away, that’s the biggest result we’ll have today.
“He’s in the medical centre, but he’s walked in there on his own. He’s doing a 30-minute precautionary check but so far, so good.
“Thank god we haven’t had a driver who has been seriously injured or worse today,” he added.