Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen traded verbal blows at the Russian Grand Prix, less than two weeks after a crash that forced both Formula One title contenders to quit from the previous race.

Hamilton, a seven-time champion, said Verstappen was feeling the strain of battling for his first title.

“I remember what it was like fighting for my first championship, and obviously I’m fighting my 10th battle, something like that,” the British driver said.

“I remember what it was like and I know the pressure that comes with it and the experiences that go with it. So I can empathize with that.

“I think what’s important is that we just continue to race hard but fair.”

Verstappen brushed off Hamilton’s comments.

“I’m so nervous I can barely sleep. It’s so horrible to fight for a title, I really hate it,” Verstappen said.

“Those comments, it just shows you that he doesn’t really know me, which is fine. I also don’t need to know him, how he is fully, but I just focus on myself and I really enjoy it out there in front.”

The rivals collided halfway through the final race in Italy, giving Daniel Ricciardo a surprising victory for McLaren.

After Verstappen’s car bounced over his head, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff credited the protective “halo” device around Hamilton’s cockpit with saving his life.

Verstappen was given a three-place grid penalty in Russia after being accused for the incident — “Not ideal, but not the end of the world,” he added.

Hamilton attended the Met Gala in New York the day following the accident. He credited yoga and acupuncture with helping him heal from neck pain caused by the crash, and he said he was OK in Russia.

“It’s natural that when a car lands on your head, you’re going to have some sort of discomfort,” Hamilton said.

“I didn’t say I was dying. Of course, aware of the fact that just in a millisecond anything can happen, and so I did feel grateful to come out of it not badly injured.”

It was the second time this year that the two drivers collided, following a similar event at the British GP. Verstappen was taken to the hospital on that occasion. Hamilton received a 10-second penalty but still won the race.

Verstappen leads Hamilton by five points in the championship. It’s unclear how many races remain, possibly seven or eight, because one venue for an open slot on November 21 has yet to be confirmed.

Verstappen has already carved through the field after grid penalties in Sochi, rocketing from 19th to fifth in the first eight laps of the 2018 race.

Mercedes drivers have won all seven races at the Olympic Park circuit, with four wins for Hamilton.

The uniforms of Formula One racing drivers are currently available at the following websites for a reasonable price: