Hamilton questions Ferrari's 'interesting tactics'

Mercedes Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has questioned Ferrari's “interesting tactics” following his opening lap collision with Kimi Raikkonen at the British Grand Prix on Sunday, but said he had no concerns about the move being deliberate.

Polesitter Hamilton made a sluggish start and was passed by both Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, before coming together with Raikkonen at Turn 3. 

The Ferrari driver locked up and slammed into the side of Hamilton, turning the Briton around in the process as he fell to the very back of the grid.

Hamilton turned in a brilliant recovery drive to salvage second place on home soil, but hinted Raikkonen’s mistake could have been intentional after the race. 

“[Mercedes] did a great job this weekend and there’s been a lot of pressure on for us all,” Hamilton said on the Silverstone podium. 

“Interesting tactics I would say from their [Ferrari’s] side, but we will do what we can to fight them in the next few races.”

Raikkonen received a 10-second time penalty for causing the collision, but a late charge saw him beat Bottas to the final spot on the podium behind Hamilton and race-winner Vettel. 

When asked to elaborate on his comments in the post-race drivers’ press conference, Hamilton replied: “All I’ll say is there’s now two races where the Ferraris have taken out one of the Mercedes. 

“A five-second penalty and a 10-second penalty doesn’t feel - It is a lot of points Valtteri and I have lost in those incidents.

“Obviously it’s a racing incident and I can’t see behind me. We need to position ourselves better so we’re not exposed to the red cars because who knows where they are going to be.”

However, when asked directly if he was concerned by Ferrari's tactics, Hamilton said: "I'm not."

The result at Silverstone means Hamilton now trails Vettel in the championship by eight points heading into the German Grand Prix in two weeks' time.