Repairs to Verstappen car cost $1.8 million, says Red Bull chief
LONDON: Red Bull boss Christian Horner said Friday his team has been left with a bill for a whopping £1.3million ($1.8 million) to repair the damage to Max Verstappen’s car after the controversial collision with Lewis Hamilton at the British Grand Prix.
Verstappen and seven-time world champion Hamilton clashed on the opening lap of last weekend’s race at Silverstone. The Dutchman was forced to retire and undergo a six-hour hospital checkup while Hamilton took victory to revive his title hopes.
“That crash has cost us approximately $1.8million and an accident like that has massive ramifications in a budget cap era,” Horner wrote in a column on the team’s official website. Horner also criticized Hamilton for his celebrations on the podium, a display already blasted as “disrespectful and unsportsmanlike” by Verstappen. Even though Hamilton was handed a 10second penalty, his victory allowed him to slash Verstappen’s lead in the championship from 33 points to just eight.
“I am also still disappointed about the level of celebrations enjoyed in the wake of the accident,” added Horner. “The Mercedes team were aware of the gravity of the crash, with Max widely reported as having been hospitalized and requiring further checks. It is unimaginable not to inform your driver of the situation, moreover to protect your driver in case they do not show the necessary restraint in celebrating, particularly when it was as a result of an incident he was penalized for.”