May 27 (GMM) Max Verstappen claims he crashed at Monaco on Sunday after being “brake-tested”.
The 17-year-old, whose formula one debut in 2015 has been controversial, was punished by the sport’s governing body after crashing at high speed into the barriers at Ste Devote.
Verstappen told his official website on Wednesday that he is unhurt.
“My neck is a bit stiff,” he said, “but apart from that I am fine. It didn’t hurt as much as expected.”
The young Dutchman said he is now “ready to go again” at the wheel of his Toro Rosso, starting with the Canadian grand prix next weekend.
“It (Monaco) was an eventful race,” Verstappen continued. “We had good pace and did some overtaking as well — in Monaco!
“After a pitstop, I was charging through the field when I was brake-tested and had a hard crash,” he said, describing his contact with Lotus’ Romain Grosjean.
‘Brake-test’ is a motor racing term for when a leading driver deliberately brakes early in order to deter the advances of a chasing car.
Brake-testing is aggressive and dangerous, but it was Verstappen who was penalised by the FIA, including a five-place grid demotion for Canada and two penalty points on his super licence.