Horner still angry at Mercedes: 'Was clear Max was in hospital'

Horner reacts to statements

The Red Bull Racing team boss used his column on RedBull.com to speak about the situation: "I would like to respond to some comments I have seen from Toto, who is quoted as saying our comments regarding Hamilton having caused the accident were “so personal"."

According to Horner, it was normal for emotions to come into play given the situation. Verstappen was still in hospital and the RB16B was completely written off. "I also felt the narrative that Max was being ‘overly aggressive’ at that stage was unjustified," says Horner, pointing out that Verstappen has not been found guilty of on-track misjudgments in recent years.

Verstappen has changed

"The aggressive 17-year-old F1 rookie Max Verstappen that Hamilton is referring to is not the Max Verstappen of today, just as Hamilton is not the same driver he was when he entered the sport," continued Horner, who still believes Hamilton was the aggressor at Sunday's Grand Prix.

"I am also still disappointed about the level of celebrations enjoyed in the wake of the accident. The Mercedes team were aware of the gravity of the crash with Max widely reported as having been hospitalised and requiring further checks."