WATCH: Tensions flare between Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton during Dutch GP qualifying

The Dutch Grand Prix qualifying session at Zandvoort saw tempers rise as Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton were involved in a heated incident that left the Red Bull driver fuming. The stewards noted a potential impending incident between the two drivers, which took place during the first qualifying session (Q1).

The incident occurred at Turn 9, where Sergio Perez encountered Hamilton on the track. Frustrated by what he perceived as a hindrance, Perez vented his anger over the team radio, exclaiming, "What is this idiot doing?" The Mexican driver was upset, feeling that Hamilton's positioning on the track had affected his lap time.

Here is the video:

@RobLMyers corner telling Perez to park up behind Hamilton pic.twitter.com/OLfu93fYQo

— driver jason (@Jason29wctb) August 24, 2024

Hamilton, however, saw things differently. The seven-time world champion defended his actions, stating, "I was well out of his way." Replays of the incident seemed to support Hamilton's claim, showing that he had moved aside sufficiently to allow Perez to pass without significant obstruction. Despite this, Perez remained adamant that Hamilton should face consequences for the incident.

"For worse than that I've been penalised, so I don't expect any less," Perez remarked after Q1, signalling his belief that the stewards should take action against Hamilton. The Red Bull driver’s frustration was palpable, and the incident was scheduled to be investigated after the qualifying session.

Lewis Hamilton crashes out of Q2

As the drama unfolded, Hamilton's day took a turn for the worse in Q2, where he was unexpectedly eliminated, finishing in 12th place. This marked a disappointing result for the Mercedes driver, who had shown promising pace earlier in the weekend.

For Perez, the incident with Hamilton added to the pressure as he looked to secure a strong grid position for the race. With tensions running high, the aftermath of the qualifying session set the stage for an intense and closely watched battle on race day.

As the stewards deliberate on whether Hamilton's actions warrant a penalty, the incident serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of Formula 1, where every moment on track is fiercely contested, and the consequences of even the slightest misstep can be far-reaching.