MAX VERSTAPPEN AIMS SAVAGE DIG AT LEWIS HAMILTON AS INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED INTO HUNGARIAN GP INCIDENT – XPLORERINSIGHTS

At the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, both Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton faced challenging weekends. Verstappen secured an eighth-place start in qualifying but ended up finishing ninth. Meanwhile, Hamilton had difficulties during qualifying which positioned him in twelfth place on the grid, ultimately leaving him without any points from the race.

Tensions reached their highest point on lap 29 (referred to as “Lap 30” by Red Bull) at Turn 4, when Verstappen made a bold attempt to pass on the inside. Hamilton veered into the runoff area to prevent any contact. Although there was no collision between them, stewards initiated a post-race investigation regarding an alleged forcing off track incident.

Verstappen’s Harsh Remark

In reaction, Red Bull shared a provocative message on social media:

Lap 30: Max forces Lewis wide at Turn 4 and advances to P11.

This public statement, which praised his maneuver before the stewards reached a verdict, sparked outrage among fans and generated headlines regarding the team’s tone.

Afterward, Verstappen spoke in his own defense, arguing:

“The reality is that nothing occurred. We didn’t even make contact… It’s hard to comprehend why, especially since we conducted the investigation.”

He noted that Lewis was absent from the hearing, suggesting that the Ferrari driver didn’t feel strongly enough to challenge it.

Outcome of the FIA

Both drivers and team representatives attended a stewards’ hearing after the race, although Hamilton chose not to participate in person.

The stewards ultimately determined that there was no contact or adequate evidence to suggest that Verstappen forced another car off the track. As a result, no action was taken, and Verstappen kept his race position.

Professional Insight

Sky F1 analyst Anthony Davidson commended Hamilton for his situational awareness, stating that even under intense pressure and facing Verstappen’s aggressive move, Hamilton had the ability to foresee potential contact and avoid it.

Concluding Remarks

Verstappen’s pointed remark in the cooldown room—or through team media outlets—captured Red Bull’s confidence in their driver’s command and authority. However, critics highlighted that the social media post was somewhat tone-deaf, particularly since an investigation was still ongoing at the time it went live.

Ultimately, Verstappen was not penalized as the FIA determined that the incident did not reach the level of wrongdoing. However, this situation heightened attention on both the rivalry and racecraft at Hungary.