Raikkonen fears Verstappen could cause ´huge accident´
Kimi Raikkonen fears Max Verstappen will cause a “massive accident” if the teenager does not change his tactics after the pair clashed during the Belgian Grand Prix.
Red Bull driver Verstappen was involved in a collision with the Ferraris of Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel after getting off to a bad start in an eventful race at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday.
A furious Raikkonen swore after he was involved in another two incidents with the 18-year-old on the run to Les Combes.
Finn Raikkonen also let his feelings be known after a race in which he finished ninth, two places ahead of Verstappen.
“If I had not braked, we would have had a massive accident,” said Raikkonen.
“It will happen sooner or later if this doesn’t change. I am fine with good, hard racing but that is not correct.”
Raikkonen was aggrieved with Verstappen’s repeated approach of staying in the middle of the track before making a late move to counter the threat of a driver attempting to pass.
He added: “Other guys defend but they do it correctly. He waits and waits and turns after me and I have to brake and slow down. It is not exactly what should happen.
“Maybe it needs an accident before it makes it more clear to everybody but hopefully not because it can be bad for someone. Nobody wants to see anybody get hurt.
“Something is not correct in my view, but the stewards have a different opinion.”
Dutchman Verstappen dismissed Raikkonen’s criticism after a disappointing day behind the wheel.
“It’s a big lie. I was defending my position – if someone doesn’t like it that’s their problem,” he said.
“It’s ridiculous. It’s good TV if someone is moaning, but especially after T1 when they [Raikkonen and Vettel] do something like that, I’m not going to give up my position easily.
“My start wasn’t great but then I dived inside, didn’t lock a wheel and was easily making the corner, but they kept squeezing me.
“Seb turned in on both of us and that took my front wing and destroyed the floor. From there your race is gone. He [Vettel] knows he is on the outside and suddenly turns in when there are two others cars. I think that’s pretty illogical.”
