Lewis Hamilton had a rather blunt response for Max Verstappen after the Dutchman had called for him to be penalised during the Austrian Grand Prix this past weekend.

The Ferrari and Red Bull drivers went wheel-to-wheel on lap 11 of yesterday’s Austrian GP in a battle for second place, before Verstappen opted to back out of the attack, claiming the Brit had made an illegal manoeuvre.

Calls for a penalty from the four-time world champion were waved away by stewards, however, and after the race had finished, Hamilton delivered a rebuttal when questioned by the media post-race.

Lewis Hamilton & Max Verstappen’s Austrian GP Battle

Two drivers on the grid with 11 Drivers’ Championships between them became locked in battle once again at the Red Bull Ring, for yesterday’s Austrian Grand Prix.

While George Russell began to pull ahead in front, the battle for second ensued, with lap 11 sparking the first major flashpoint.

Verstappen dived past Hamilton into turn 3, but the latter refused to yield, drawing back alongside through the sweepers. The pair then went wheel-to-wheel before the Dutchman ran out of road on the outside line of turn 6, and was forced onto the gravel.

After being forced towards the gravel, the 28-year-old was not impressed by his rival’s antics, exclaiming over the team radio: “That’s a penalty, a clear penalty.”

Verstappen went on to finish in P2, sharing the podium with the Mercedes pair of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, while Hamilton could only manage fifth, two spots ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc after Ferrari struggled with tyre degradation.

Lewis Hamilton’s Response to Max Verstappen’s Penalty Cry

When asked about his battle with Verstappen after the race, Hamilton told reporters: “It was great. Good fun.

The 41-year-old racing veteran was coming off the back of his first win in Ferrari colours at the Barcelona Grand Prix, which had put him second in the Drivers’ Championship standings. He now sits third, but seems to have rediscovered his mojo, with F1 fans excited to see what he can produce heading into his home race at Silverstone, and whether he could even mount a challenge for world title number eight.

The British driver maintains that the gap to Mercedes is still sizeable, with the Scuderia needing a power upgrade as soon as possible to try to close the gap.

Hamilton said: “We are going to have to push really hard to see when we can get the next power upgrade. We have to look at why and how we can improve that, but it’s not going to come for a while.

“It’s not necessarily power as when you come out of the corner you feel you have the grunt. It’s deployment at the end. Ours tails off. Mercedes, particularly, keep going.”

The British Grand Prix kicks off next week at Silverstone, with a Sprint Race followed by the main race at 15:00 BST on Sunday.

Liverpool have to react quickly after missing out on Yan Diomande after learning that the RB Leipzig star has chosen Paris Saint-Germain as his preferred next club.

The RB Leipzig winger had been the Reds’ top choice to replace Mohamed Salah, and the Ivorian ticks plenty of boxes. At only 19, he is one of the most exciting teenagers in European football, but he won’t be arriving at Anfield.

GIVEMESPORT understands that Liverpool have ended their pursuit of Diomande due to the player wanting to join PSG. The club’s decision-makers are now exploring alternatives to add a new winger to Andoni Iraola’s attack.

Liverpool Should Turn to Barcola

Gonzalo Fuentes via Reuters

There are four players who are on Liverpool’s radar, including PSG’s Bradley Barcola. With Diomande potentially heading to the Parc des Princes, the French attacker could make way.

Barcola is on the Merseysiders’ shortlist and might become available if the Parisians decide to swoop for Diomande. The 23-year-old has been an important player for Luis Enrique and registered 13 goals and seven assists in 49 games across competitions last season.

PSG’s interest in Diomande is somewhat surprising given the pool of attacking options they possess. Barcola is one of them, and he will surely be pondering his future if another winger with a similar profile arrives.

Praised as “one of the world’s best wingers”, the former Lyon man’s exploits tend to go under the radar in Paris. His teammates Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia often get all the plaudits in the dominant European champions’ team.

Liverpool have an opportunity to swoop for Barcola and propose that he becomes their marquee signing to fill the void left by Salah. He has enormous talent and could relish the chance to play a lead role at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Barcola has two years left on his contract and has been with the French capital club since August 2023. He seems a perfect fit for Iraola’s system and his versatility could see him used on either flank.

Barcola is the Best of the Lot

via Reuters

There are four wingers on Liverpool’s wishlist who they are considering turning to after conceding defeat in the race for Diomande. They also admire Koln’s Said El Mala, Lille’s Matias Fernandes-Pardo and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh.

Barcola is undoubtedly the best option of the four, as he has been part of a team that has dominated Europe and French football. He’s even earning game time for France at the World Cup and is arguably outperforming PSG teammate Doue.

A move for Barcola will, of course, be dependent on whether the Parisian giants decide to sign Diomande. Some reports claim the Ligue 1 club will be demanding around €80 million (£69m).

Tottenham could be set for Premier League interest in one of their bright young stars this summer. Spurs are in the midst of a squad overhaul as they look to go from relegation candidates to European candidates.

Roberto De Zerbi is going to be handed big money to make changes to his squad, with the Italian likely securing promises from the Spurs higher-ups before even taking the job. Spurs have promised changes this summer after back-to-back bottom-half finishes, and they are now putting their money where their mouth is, already wrapping up four new signings in an impressively efficient window so far.

But mass signings are not always good news for existing players, and one player appears to want out.

Bergvall exit noise is not going away

One of Tottenham’s brightest young talents, Lucas Bergvall, is now being heavily linked with a move away this summer. The attacking midfielder clearly has a lot of potential to reach, described as a ‘generational talent’ by Spurs scouting chief Robert Mackenzie, but it has been reported that his route to regular first-team football is now a clear one next season.

That could leave him to leave, and amid growing transfer links, he recently refused to comment on a move, sparking more speculation.

Bergvall, who is at the World Cup with Sweden, told reporters: “As I said: I’m fully focused on the World Cup.” He added: “I’m fully focusing on the World Cup. I’m here with Sweden, and we’re going to try to make a good impression in the U.S. Whatever happens after that, we’ll deal with it then. It’s been a tough season, as I said. But now the focus is on the World Cup and being here.”

In Bergvall’s defence, ‘refusing to rule out’ a move, as it is often described, is treated similar to asking for a move by many, which doesn’t feel particularly fair. Many international players turn off all communications to the club world during an international tournament, and such an approach worked well for Spain at the last Euros.

So, in all likelihood, Bergvall is being truthful with his stance in those comments, but it doesn’t mean a move is not likely this summer. Ultimately, Spurs do have options in the number 10 role, and James Maddison is likely to be the starter there, while Xavi Simons will likely be the secondary option when he returns from injury, likely some time in the winter.

Forest could move for Bergvall this summer

If Bergvall is to leave, it is then about the possible suitors, and the Sweden international is likely to have options both in the Premier League and abroad. According to Ben Jacobs, one of the main Premier League options could be Nottingham Forest, who have the playmaker on their shortlist.

Jacobs posted on X: “Liverpool value Jones in the region of £40m, and it is unclear whether Forest are prepared to go that high. Liverpool are content to keep hold of Jones if their asking price is not met. Jones is heading into the final year of his contract but should he remain beyond this summer, talks over a new contract are not ruled out.

“Forest also have Spurs’ Lucas Bergvall high in their thinking. The Swedish midfielder has asked the club to leave as he seeks a new challenge.”

Spurs will reportedly ask for £45million to sell Bergvall this summer.