Rivals Hamilton, Vettel clash as Ricciardo wins chaotic race
BAKU, Azerbaijan — As Daniel Ricciardo celebrated winning a hectic Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday, title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel clashed in a bitter incident that could shape the rest of an intriguing Formula One season.
Hamilton accused Vettel of “disrespectful” driving after the four-time champion pulled alongside Hamilton and appeared to deliberately swerve into him when they were behind the safety car approaching the midway point of a stop-start race.
“Ultimately what happened today was disrespectful. It’s not deserving of that reaction from someone you have respect for,” Hamilton said. “A multi-world champion should behave better than that. It’s what you expect in go karts. That’s not how you drive.”
Vettel, who is chasing a fifth world title to stop Hamilton winning a fourth, was given a 10-second time penalty for the incident. Hamilton, less angry in his media briefing than immediately after the race on television, maintained Vettel shunted him on purpose.