Hamilton unloads on Formula 1 fans

During his first lap of the third qualifying session, Hamilton flew across the gravel and despite his best efforts to control the car, smashed into the barrier side-on.

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Thankfully, the Mercedes star wasn’t hurt and emerged unscathed from the crash.

But for Verstappen’s fans at the Austrian GP — the home race for Red Bull, Verstappen’s team — were elated that their hero had one less serious contender to deal with.

However, Hamilton was furious at how the fans reacted.

“I don’t agree with any of that, no matter what,” Hamilton said.

“A driver could have been in hospital and you are going to cheer that?

“It’s mind-blowing that people would do that, knowing how dangerous our sport is. I was grateful I didn’t end up in hospital and I wasn’t heavily injured.

“You should never cheer someone’s downfall or someone’s injury. It shouldn’t have happened at Silverstone, even though it wasn’t a crash and it shouldn’t have happened here.”

Hamilton was making reference to some of his fans at the British GP last weekend who booed Verstappen when he slowly fell down the race order after driving over some debris that impacted his vehicle.

It’s the latest chapter in the rivalry between the two drivers and their passionate respective fan bases.

The two collided at Silverstone last year and they also shared the epic battle that decided the 2021 world championship in Abu Dhabi when Verstappen won his maiden title right at the death.

The Dutchman will start the Austrian GP from pole position after winning the sprint event, while Hamilton is back in eighth although he has his team to thank for getting his car ready in time for the race.

Originally published as ‘You are going to cheer that?’: Hamilton slams Verstappen fans for ‘mind-blowing’ behaviour