What did Max Verstappen say about Lewis Hamilton? F1 drivers collide at British Grand Prix at Silverstone

Lewis Hamilton raced to victory in the British Grand Prix on Sunday, but the 36-year-old’s win was marred by an opening lap collision with fellow driver Max Verstappen.

The Red Bull driver was sent careering into the barriers after a high speed shunt that led to a time penalty for his British counterpart.

Verstappen was taken to hospital for precautionary checks after the incident, but was released with a clean bill of health later in the day.

Understandably, the crash stirred up plenty of debate, with both drivers and several pundits speaking out on the matter.

Here’s everything that’s been said about the collision so far…

What did Max Verstappen say about Lewis Hamilton?

Verstappen has made his feelings on the incident very clear.

Commenting on the collision after his release from hospital, he said: "Very disappointed to be taken out like this.

"Watching the celebrations while still in hospital is disrespectful and unsportsmanlike... but we move on."

In an earlier Twitter post, he said: "The penalty given does not help us and doesn't do justice to the dangerous move Lewis made on track."

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was also angered by the incident, labelling Hamilton's move "an amateur mistake, a desperate mistake".

He added: "It is disappointing and annoying; his actions have jeopardised another driver's safety.

"Putting a fellow driver in hospital and writing off a car and receiving a menial penalty and winning a grand prix doesn't feel like much of a penalty.

"To stick a wheel up the inside at Copse corner, one of the fastest corners anywhere, there is only ever going to be one consequence of that.

"We are just lucky someone wasn't seriously hurt. Thankfully we got away with it."

Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko said: "Such dangerous and reckless behaviour should be punished with a suspension or something."

What did Lewis Hamilton say about Max Verstappen?

Hamilton gave his side of the story after his victory, and also expressed his relief that Verstappen was unhurt.

Speaking after the race, he said: "I was pretty far alongside him, but I could see he wasn't going to back out. But then we went into the corner and we collided.

"Of course that's never the way I want to win a race or just in general to race, but these things do happen."

In a tweet posted later on Sunday, Hamilton added: "Today is a reminder of the dangers in this sport. I send my best wishes to Max who is an incredible competitor. I'm glad to hear he is okay.

"I will always race hard but always fairly."

In response to the criticism aimed at him, he said: "It is important for all of us to take a step back. I am sure emotions are running high there and I know what it's like to lose points and be in that position."

Hamilton also rejected claims he should apologise for the incident in the context of being penalised.

The seven-time world champion added: "I don't think I am in a position to have to apologise for anything.

"We are out there racing.

"There will be a lot of tough races coming up. We have to learn to strike a decent balance.

"I don't agree with the stewards, but I take the penalty on the chin and get on with my job. Everyone is going to have a different opinion and I don't particularly care what people think, I just do what I do."

What did pundits say about the collision?

Views on the crash were fairly divided among pundits and ex-drivers.

Hamilton’s former teammate Jenson Button, who competed in 17 British GPs himself, said: "Lewis was almost alongside him but that for me was not the most important part - it's that Max left enough room.

"But at that speed, it's very difficult on the inside to get around that corner.

"At the speed he was going, Lewis had to back out of it.”

Former world champion Damon Hill took a slightly more lenient view of Hamilton’s role in the incident, however.

He said: "Lewis has kept it on the inside and really banked on Max backing out of it, which he didn't do.

"But I'm sure that Max knew that Lewis was there, and he didn't make enough an allowance for that.

"Two cars shouldn't come together. If they were young, inexperienced drivers you'd look at that and say calm down."