Hamilton surprised after Verstappen walked away without checking whether he was okay or not

The Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s championship leader Max Verstappen came together on lap 26 of the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, as the two rivals ran side-by-side in their battle for position at Monza’s first chicane.

Verstappen had been trying to go around the outside of Hamilton, when he bounced over a kerb and was launched in to the air and over the top of his Mercedes rival.

HALO Saved the day

Hamilton was struck on the head by Verstappen’s right rear wheel, and has been left with neck pains that he thinks will need attention from a specialist. Thanks to invention of HALO and Jean Todt, who implemented HALO in F1 after taking over as FIA president.

Reflecting on the circumstances surrounding the accident and its aftermath, Hamilton explained that he already had started feeling some pain when he spotted Verstappen walking away with checking on him.

“I definitely didn’t think Max would lose control over the kerb and run into me,” said Hamilton. Looking back at the footage, it obviously happened very quick. Being in the car, all I could think of was getting going and how many positions I was losing.

I’m still just in race mode, so it’s just like: how can I get going again? I’m sitting there in a little bit of pain, but just like: come on let’s go. But unfortunately the car wouldn’t move.

I did see Max get out and just walk by. I found that a little bit surprising, because ultimately I think when we go out, and when we do have incidents, the first thing we want is make sure if the guy that we crashed into or we collided with is okay.

But the good thing is I was able to get out. It was a long walk back, but we live to fight another day.”

Hamilton said that while his neck did not feel too bad immediately after the crash, it had begun getting stiffer later on.

“I’m in a little bit of pain, to honest,” he said. “It’s actually I think an adrenaline rush at the time and it’s feeling like it’s going to get a bit worse as the adrenaline rushes off.

But I’ll work with [physio] Ange [Cullen] to fix it. I think honestly, I feel very, very fortunate today.

Thank God for the halo that ultimately I think saved me and saved my neck. I think in the actual moment, it was a big hit. But all I could think of is could I get going again.”