The Incident at the Hungarian Grand Prix: No Further Action Taken
The controversy surrounding Max Verstappen’s move on Lewis Hamilton during the Hungarian Grand Prix has been resolved without any further disciplinary action. According to the race stewards, there was no evidence that Verstappen forced Hamilton off the track at Turn 4, and thus no penalty was issued.
Verstappen had made his first pit stop for hard tyres and was working his way through the lower part of the field during the second stint. As he approached the pack that included Hamilton, Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman, and Isack Hadjar, he spent five laps following the group before attempting a move at Turn 4.
During the maneuver, Verstappen took the inside line at the high-speed left-hander, prompting Hamilton to leave the track and drive across the run-off area. Although the incident was initially under investigation, it was ultimately reviewed after the race.
Hamilton did not attend the stewards’ hearing, which raised questions about his stance on the matter. However, the stewards’ report confirmed that the Ferrari representative stated Hamilton had chosen to take evasive action, with no contact between the two drivers.
Verstappen also claimed that he would have offered more space if Hamilton had remained on the track. His statement during the hearing emphasized that he had control of his car and could have stayed further inside to allow Hamilton room on the exit. However, since Hamilton went off the track, Verstappen decided to use the full width of the circuit.
The report from the stewards concluded: “The driver of Car 1 [Verstappen] stated during the hearing that he had gained some momentum on Car 44 [Hamilton] out of Turn 3 with fresher tyres and used this momentum to make a move on the inside into Turn 4. He further elaborated that he was in full control of his car and could have stayed further to the inside to leave space for Car 44 on the exit. However, he said, as Car 44 had gone off track, he elected to use all of the track on the exit. The team representative of Car 44 confirmed that there was no contact between both cars and further stated that the driver of Car 44 chose not to attempt to remain on track. Taking all this into account, the Stewards determine that there was no contact and that the incident does not qualify as forcing another car off track despite the ambitious nature of the overtaking attempt and take no further action.”
Verstappen’s Reaction
After the race, Verstappen expressed his confusion over the investigation, stating that nothing significant had occurred. “We didn’t even touch,” he said. “That’s the thing. So, for me, it’s a bit difficult to understand why we have the investigation after the race.”
He also noted that Hamilton’s absence from the stewards’ room suggested that the seven-time champion did not feel strongly enough about the incident to pursue a penalty. “Lewis was not there, but we explained our side of the story. I don’t think Lewis actually felt a lot for it, because if he really felt something for it, then of course he’s there in the stewards’ room.”
Verstappen added that both drivers had struggled during the weekend. “I think both of us didn’t have the best of weekends anyway. That’s just that one little thing. The more important thing is that we have to look at our performance, which was not good.”
The Nature of the Move
Verstappen described the maneuver as a typical overtake in a fast corner. “I went for a move up the inside, because it’s a fast corner, but with downforce, you’re a bit more under control anyway. I think he realized very late that I was up the inside there. So then he turned out of it a little bit and then went off the track. And that was it. We didn’t touch. Nothing happened.”
Despite the dramatic nature of the move, the stewards determined that no rule had been broken, and the incident was treated as an aggressive but fair overtake. The decision highlights the complexity of racing decisions and the importance of clear communication between drivers and officials.
