Hamilton claims Verstappen has kept driving dangerously since 2021 clashes

  • Verstappen under scrutiny for Austin and Mexico races
  • Hamilton: ‘I don’t think you are seeing much difference’

Lewis Hamilton maintains Max Verstappen has continued with an unacceptable driving style since the pair vied for the world championship in 2021. Three years ago the British driver described his rival as dangerous and claimed he drove as if the rules did not apply to him. Verstappen, however, responded bullishly to critics of his driving, labelling them biased and annoying.

Verstappen’s driving has been under intense focus for the previous two rounds in Austin and Mexico where he was involved in controversial incidents with his world championship rival, McLaren’s Lando Norris. In Austin the world champion forced Norris wide, for which the British driver was penalised, although it was considered Verstappen had been carrying too much speed into the corner. Then in Mexico, Verstappen twice pushed Norris off and was penalised on both occasions.

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Joe Marler issues apology for haka criticism before England host All Blacks

  • Prop says ‘sorry to any New Zealand fans I upset’
  • Marler says he wants England to respond on pitch

Joe Marler has issued an apology for his “shithouse” criticism of the haka that has whipped up a storm before England face New Zealand on Saturday. After the England captain, Jamie George, admitted that Marler had poked the bear with his criticism of the All Blacks’ traditional war dance, the loosehead prop took to social media again to row back on his earlier comments.

In the latest instalment of a saga that has dominated the buildup to the first autumn international, Marler’s apology comes after George had said that he disagreed with his teammate that the haka should be scrapped. George did, however, say that England were considering a response to the haka at Twickenham while the All Blacks head coach, Scott Robertson, said that Marler “could have articulated himself a little bit better”.

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