Lewis Hamilton vows to continue racing ‘hard but fairly’ after Max Verstappen collision

F1 championship leader Verstappen released from hospital 'without any major injuries' following high-speed crash at British Grand Prix

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday, July 18.

British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning on home soil.

Lewis Hamilton takes the chequered flag at Silverstone.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton after overtaking Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc to secure victory.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton before the collision that ended the Dutch driver's race.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc ahead of Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.

McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo during the race.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.

Fans enjoy the action and sunshine at Silverstone.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc ahead of British driver Lewis Hamilton in his Mercedes.

Cars back in the pit lane after the early crash.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during the race.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in front at the start of the race.

AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly.

Lewis Hamilton said he will continue to race “hard but fairly” after Max Verstappen accused the Briton of being dangerous, disrespectful and unsportsmanlike behaviour following their high-speed collision at the British Grand Prix on Sunday.

Verstappen was released from hospital at 10pm on Sunday night, seven hours after his crash with Hamilton on the opening lap of the Silverstone race.

Hamilton was dealt a 10-second penalty for the accident.

But the Mercedes driver recovered from fourth to pass Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for victory with two laps remaining, cutting the deficit to F1 championship leader Verstappen to just eight points.

Verstappen's Red Bull team confirmed he was given the all-clear to leave hospital “without any major injuries” following a CT scan late on Sunday night.

Earlier, Verstappen tweeted: “Glad I’m okay. Very disappointed with being taken out like this. The penalty given does not help us and doesn’t do justice to the dangerous move Lewis made on track.

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

Hamilton responded by saying: “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 OK.

“I will always race hard but always fairly. My team showed grit and perseverance out there. It’s a dream to win in front of my home crowd.”

Hamilton also refuted suggestions by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner that his drving had put Verstappen’s life in danger.

Horner said: “Every grand prix driver knows that a move at that corner – one of the fastest in Formula One – is a massive, massive risk.

“You don’t put a wheel up the inside without there being huge consequences. We are just lucky today that there wasn’t someone seriously hurt.

“What I am most angry about is just the lack of judgement, and the desperation in this move. It was never on.

“Lewis is a world champion that has won seven titles. It is an amateur’s mistake and a desperate mistake. Max is battered and bruised. It is the biggest accident of his career.”

But Hamilton said: “I don’t really have anything to say to Christian. The win doesn’t feel hollow.

“I don’t think I am in a position to have to apologise for anything. We are out there racing.

“I don’t agree with the stewards but I take my penalty on the chin and get on with my job. I am not going to whine about it.

“Everyone is going to have a different opinion and I don’t really care what people think so I just do what I do and I am really grateful for today.”