Max Verstappen bemoaned yet another run-in with a Mercedes car as he lost his World Championship lead at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Verstappen, just one race weekend on from his dramatic first-lap collision with Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone, found himself the victim of another collision caused by a Mercedes car – this time Valtteri Bottas who broke far too late on a wet surface heading into turn 1 at the Hungaroring.
The Dutchman suffered significant bargeboard damage and had to battle from the back to earn himself a solitary point after a chaotic race in Budapest.
Heading into the summer break, Verstappen now finds himself six points behind Lewis Hamilton in the World Championship standings, while Mercedes are now 10 points ahead in the Constructors’ battle.
“Again taken out by a Mercedes…,” was Verstappen’s opening line to Sky F1 back in the Hungaroring paddock.
“And from there onwards I was missing my whole side of the car – the whole bargeboard area. And the floor was damaged as well.
“It was impossible to drive to be honest. I still tried my very best and still scored one point so…it’s at least something but of course it’s not what we want.”
Valtteri Bottas on lap 1 #HungarianGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/EALEu6KLEP
— Planet F1 (@Planet_F1) August 1, 2021
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Asked how he will pick himself up in the summer break and whether he needs to reset, Verstappen said: “No it’s not about [a reset. This moment doesn’t do anything, it’s just disappointing.
“I know that we will go again after the break and I’ll be there again and I will try my very best. Of course I hope my car will be competitive but we will find out.
“There’s a lot of freak moments at this time which has cost us a lot of points. Of course Mercedes are very quick but we will never give up.
“We have to focus on ourselves and keep pushing, then see where we end up.”
Bottas has been hit with a five-place grid penalty for the next race after the summer break in Spa, while Lance Stroll was also slapped with the same punishment for causing another incident in a chaotic opening lap.
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