Verstappen escapes penalty for bold F1 Hungarian GP move on Hamilton

The investigation into Max Verstappen’s pass on Lewis Hamilton at the Hungarian Grand Prix has resulted in no further action, as the stewards deemed that the Dutchman had not forced the Ferrari driver off the road at Turn 4.

Having made his first stop for hard tyres, Verstappen was attempting to make up ground and was carving his way through the lower reaches of the field at the start of his second stint.

As the reigning champion caught Hamilton, who was sitting at the tail of a pack including Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar, he spent five laps in his wake before making a move on the run to Turn 4.

Verstappen went for the inside line at the high-speed left-hander, and Hamilton subsequently went off the road and drove across the run-off. The move was placed under investigation, but was left to be dissected after the race.

Hamilton declined to attend the hearing in the stewards’ room, and the stewards’ report revealed that the Ferrari representative stated that Hamilton indeed chose to take evasive action – with no contact between the two.

Furthermore, Verstappen contended that he was willing to offer more space had Hamilton not left the track.

The report read: “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 stated after the race that there was nothing really in the move, and that Hamilton’s no-show in the stewards’ room suggested that the seven-time champion did not really care about trying to mount a case for a penalty.

“The thing is that nothing happened,” Verstappen said. “We didn’t even touch. That’s the thing. So, for me, it’s a bit difficult to understand why we have the investigation after the race.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Jayce Illman / Getty Images

“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.

“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.

“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 realised 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.”