Lewis Hamilton has had a fresh dig by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner thrown at him ahead of the crunch Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver will go head-to-head with fierce rival Max Verstappen for the 2021 World Championship.
Hamilton moved level on points with Red Bull’s Verstappen after winning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The race was full of incidents, with both title rivals exchanging swipes after the event.
And now, Horner has made a fresh dig at Hamilton as pressure builds ahead of the Abu Dhabi meeting.
“Sector 1 is more driver focused and the sector 2 and 3 is more about the engine,” Horner said, referencing Verstappen’s ability to pull away from Hamilton in the first sector of the Saudi race despite Mercedes’ engine advantage.
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He then took a clear swipe at Hamilton, saying: “Anyone can drive in a straight line.”
Hamilton climbed on to 369.5 points with victory in Saudi Arabia, moving level with Verstappen ahead of the final Grand Prix of the season.
The Brit has collided with Verstappen on several occasions this season, with their tense rivalry one of the highlights of the year. Hamilton claimed that the Dutchman does not always play by the rules.
“I’ve raced a lot of drivers in 28 years,” he said.
And the 24-year-old has suggested that penalties are spoiling Formula One.
After being told that he had been awarded Driver of the Day, he said: “Luckily the fans have a clear mind about racing, because what happened today is unbelievable.
“I’m just trying to race and this sport is more about penalties than racing, so for me this is not Formula 1.
“But at least the fans enjoyed it and I gave it all today, but clearly not quick enough. But still happy with second.”