Max Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton at the Hungarian Grand Prix, but the Red Bull driver expressed his frustration that the incident was only reviewed by officials 30 laps into the 70-lap race. The Max Verstappen Hungarian GP overtake reignited their rivalry at the Hungaroring just before the summer break, as both drivers competed closely for points in a season where McLaren has been notably strong.
During the race, Verstappen was in 11th place when he made his move on Hamilton at Turn 4. Taking the inside line, Verstappen forced Hamilton wide and off the track. Despite the dramatic moment, Hamilton chose not to complain, and Red Bull even posted on social media suggesting Hamilton had been “scared” off the racing line. Nevertheless, the FIA announced an investigation would follow after the race concluded.
Hamilton did not attend the hearing, showing a lack of concern for the inquiry. The FIA statement explained that the stewards reviewed testimony from Verstappen, team officials, video footage, and in-car camera evidence before ruling no contact occurred between the two drivers. They decided the overtake did not warrant any penalty or further action, calling it “an ambitious” but fair move.
Drivers face increasingly complex FIA regulations and penalties
Throughout the 2024 season, there has been growing tension around F1’s penalty system, with drivers nearing potential race bans due to accumulated penalty points. Verstappen’s frustration partly stems from this system, as he believes the lengthy post-race investigations detract from the flow and fairness of the competition.
Speaking to Viaplay, Verstappen said,
“I actually think it’s a shame I have to go back to the stewards after the race. Just analyse it during the race,”
highlighting his desire for quicker in-race decisions.
He added,
“I put my nose right next to him, and he was shocked. He drove off the track, so I don’t know exactly what’s going on there.”
Verstappen also criticized the complexity of the current rules, which he believes create ambiguity and unnecessary investigations when neither driver is at fault.
“It’s just strange that we had to go to the stewards when there wasn’t even any contact. The problem is that there are so many rules now,”
he remarked.
Hamilton remains silent on the Hungarian GP incident
Lewis Hamilton has not publicly commented on Verstappen’s overtake during the Hungarian Grand Prix, indicating through his silence that he regards the incident as minor. This interaction, while intense on track, does not seem to have escalated beyond typical competitive racing between the two champions.
The Hungarian GP incident emphasizes ongoing debates about FIA’s approach to race governance and post-event investigations. As F1 moves toward the 2025 season, drivers and teams may continue to push for clearer and more timely rule enforcement to minimize disruptions and focus on the racing itself.