Ahead of the right of review hearing, Max Verstappen has defended the incident at Turn 4 last weekend insisting that it was a "great battle".

As Mercedes prepared to meet with the FIA and provide the relevant new evidence that might cause a right of review of the controversial incident, Max Verstappen was taking part in a rare track walk as F1 ventures into unknown territory.

Speaking at the press conference, he was asked about last week's incident which could see him demoted to third in the results or handed a grid penalty this weekend.

"No, not really surprised by that," he said of Mercedes' call for the incident to be officially reviewed after new footage of the incident had become available.

"But that's how it goes," he added. "I didn't need to look at the footage because I was driving the car so I know exactly what happened.

"As a driver I think we know exactly what we can and cannot do in the car," he continued. "We were fighting hard, braking late into the corner, the tyres were worn, and if I would have turned more abrupt to the left you'd just spin off track. That's why we are the drivers, so we try to control the car.

"Like I said last time out, I thought it was a great battle," he added, "and I had a lot of fun as well out there.

"At the end of the day they won the race fair enough, they were faster than us, but I thought it was a good battle."

Asked if he feared that off-track events - no pun intended - might sour the championship, the Dutchman replied: "To be honest I don't think about it too much because it's also not in my hands these kinds of things. I'm the driver, I just need to focus on what's happening on track."

Asked if he feared a penalty should Mercedes prove successful in its bid to have the stewards original decision overturned, Verstappen said: "I don't even think about that.

"Also, it's... it's not the end of the world," he added. "But again, I don't expect that to happen because I thought it was fair and hard racing, between the two guys who are fighting for the championship.

"It wouldn't have been any way an easy pass," he insisted. "Because it's not who I am, and I don't think how it should be when you're fighting for the title."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Superbird70, 18/11/2021 18:33

"What is needed is a dedicated team of stewards that travel with the F1 circus, so that at least during the course of one season decisions on violations are consistently applied. Also, in hindsight, access to all data, video and audio feeds so that an informed decision can be made."

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2. Posted by Spindoctor, 18/11/2021 15:59

"If FIA EITHER made consistent decisions OR abolished the subjectively applied penalties life would be a lot simpler. Unfortunately, they seem unable to grasp this and the result is precisely what Formula 1 (Rights Holders - Liberty) "needs" - lots of argument & contoversy.

I have my own view on what happened last weekend, based on rather inconclusive in-car footage & my view of both drivers. FIA will presumably have access to the detailed telemetry showing the incident (plus previous & subsequent laps) in all its gory details. This might prove more conclusive, but I doubt it. "

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3. Posted by KKK, 18/11/2021 15:30

"It wasnt like this when Herbie Blash was in charge. it should be about racing, not court rooms after the event. It just ranks as bad sportsmanship by all parties."

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4. Posted by Editor, 18/11/2021 15:06

"@ Wokingchap

Enough already, you've made your point... 3 times, you believe the FIA set a terrible precedent.

We get it!"

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5. Posted by Wokingchap, 18/11/2021 15:02

"The FIA set a terrible precedent in Brazil by not giving Max a penalty after his move on Lewis......... someone else wrote this ... but so true."

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Verstappen defends Interlagos Turn 4 incident

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