“I can’t see how Lewis can take any satisfaction out of a win when you’ve put your fellow competitor and driver in hospital,” Horner said.

Verstappen also chimed in on Twitter.

“Glad I’m OK. 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,” he said.

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

Hamilton had set the fastest lap in Friday qualifying for Saturday’s first ever sprint race that then determined pole position for Sunday’s race.

Verstappen seized the lead at the start of that sprint and was never threatened.

Horner suggested Hamilton’s behaviour had been influenced by the sprint because he knew Verstappen would likely disappear into the distance again unless he did something.

“I think he was wound up after yesterday’s result,” he said. “He was obviously fully motivated,and he just made a massive misjudgment.”

Horner also criticised Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff for going to see stewards while the race was halted,saying it was unacceptable to try and lobby them.

“I don’t think the stewards should be interfered with,” he said.

The Briton said he also went to see them in response to Wolff’s move to ensure his team’s views were heard.

Reuters

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