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Stewart hits out at Verstappen: He's got a lot to learn

Sir Jackie Stewart believes that Max Verstappen still has a lot of maturing to do, as he criticised the Dutch driver for not checking up on Lewis Hamilton following their crash at Monza.

Sir Jackie Stewart has lashed out at Max Verstappen, criticising the Dutchman for not checking up on Lewis Hamilton after the two title rivals collided on Lap 26 of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. With Verstappen's car coming to rest on top of Hamilton's, the Red Bull driver climbed out to walk away. TV footage suggested that Verstappen stared at Hamilton as the reigning World Champion attempted to reverse out of the gravel trap from under Verstappen's car, but Stewart reckons that Verstappen not going over to check on his rival's condition is a sign of his immaturity. "Verstappen is taking longer than expected to mature," Stewart told the Daily Mail. "Not even to go to see Hamilton after a serious accident when you have just driven over the top of the guy is something I don't really understand. Especially when he is still in his car and remained there for a long time before getting out." With Verstappen now one of the leading lights in Formula 1, with a proven track record of ability with multiple victories and pole positions, Stewart fears he will no longer be willing to listen to anyone regarding his attitude. "Max has quite a lot to learn. But who will he listen to?" Stewart asked. "He's very, very good. He's probably the fastest driver on the grid now, but to be a proper champion you cannot be entangling yourself in crashes all the time." Stewart said that, if he were the boss of Verstappen or Hamilton, he'd be coming down hard on them after their second collision in five races. "If I were their Team Principals, I'd tell them, 'For Christ's sake, don't do it again'. Just because you are leading the World Championship, it doesn't mean you are bulletproof." With Verstappen given a three-place grid penalty for the clash with Hamilton, Stewart believes the punishment was too lenient. "The stewards have more information, but if they were so certain Verstappen was entirely to blame then why does he only get a three-place penalty?" he questioned. "If it weren't for the Halo, Lewis could have died, and the supposed culprit only gets a slap on the wrist!"

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