Following an on-track clash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton during the Hungarian Grand Prix, stewards called both drivers to explain the event. The incident occurred as Verstappen overtook Hamilton at Turn 4, forcing Hamilton off the track into the escape area on a high-speed section of the circuit. The stewards examined the situation to determine whether Verstappen’s move was aggressive or fair, but ultimately decided not to penalize either driver.
Behind the stewards’ investigation: Insights from Red Bull’s Steven Knowles
Though there was no visible contact between the two cars, stewards summoned Verstappen and Hamilton, suspecting Verstappen may have compelled Hamilton to leave the track. After the race, Hamilton chose not to attend the hearing, waiving his right to a review for undisclosed reasons, which likely influenced the stewards’ decision to take no further action.
Max Verstappen was accompanied by Red Bull’s acting head of sporting, Steven Knowles, who later detailed the complexities involved during an episode of the Inside Track podcast. Knowles highlighted the difficulty of assessing the incident due to limited camera angles at the moment of the overtake.
“Yeah, we did a bit,” Knowles admitted when asked if he had to argue Verstappen’s case intensely.
He explained that the maneuver happened at a relatively uncommon overtaking spot on a fast corner, and the available footage did not provide a clear view of both cars simultaneously. The main overhead roll hoop camera, which usually offers a comprehensive perspective, was replaced by the front wing camera at a critical time, obscuring the view. Additionally, the helicopter camera angles were partly blocked by trees, further complicating the review.
Knowles said race control considered whether Verstappen caused a collision or forced Hamilton off-track but couldn’t conclusively determine fault.
“They were the possibilities. So that’s what we went into to talk about.”
—Steven Knowles, Red Bull Acting Head of Sporting
He also mentioned that Hamilton’s absence from the hearing might not have significantly affected the stewards‘ judgment, as decisions tend to depend primarily on observable facts rather than driver input. Still, in close calls, active driver participation can sometimes influence outcomes.
“Tricky one. I think that’s maybe one for the stewards!”
“Whether or not it would have made a difference, in this case, I’m not sure.”
—Steven Knowles, Red Bull Acting Head of Sporting
Steven Knowles’ evolving role and the implications for F1 disciplinary procedures
Since Jonathan Wheatley’s departure to become Sauber’s team principal earlier this year, Steven Knowles has stepped into a prominent regulatory role within Red Bull. His responsibilities include negotiating incidents and penalties with the race stewards, a task that involves diplomacy and situational awareness under pressure.
Knowles joked about attending frequent steward hearings, noting that such experiences have deepened his understanding of FIA procedures. He emphasized the importance of adapting communication based on the emotional state of drivers, who often arrive at hearings with heightened adrenaline following intense racing moments.
“I think it’s important to be able to read the situation,”
he said, describing how different incidents require distinct approaches. For example, he contrasted the heated Verstappen-Hamilton investigation with a lighter moment involving Verstappen’s towel backstage before a hearing known as “Towelgate.”
“Max had a towel in his car, and everyone was laughing before we even walked into the room. So it really depends a little bit on the situation.”
—Steven Knowles, Red Bull Acting Head of Sporting
Context on F1 penalty points and race ban risks for drivers in 2025
The Verstappen-Hamilton incident reignites conversation around Formula 1‘s penalty points system, which courts race bans for accumulating too many infractions. Verstappen’s potential ban threat has recently decreased after penalty points expired, but the tension surrounding incident reviews remains high.
Knowles’ role highlights how teams now invest heavily in regulatory knowledge, as policy understanding becomes critical in navigating stewards’ decisions. With motorsport’s growing complexity, these behind-the-scenes efforts directly impact championship outcomes and driver conduct enforcement going forward.
Why the stewards’ decision matters for the championship and driver relations
The stewards’ choice to take no action after the controversial overtaking move at the Hungarian Grand Prix demonstrates the narrow line between aggressive racing and foul play. Verstappen’s pass on Hamilton at a tricky part of the track, combined with limited visual evidence and Hamilton’s waiver of his review, created an ambiguous situation where the stewards preferred to avoid penalizing either competitor.
This outcome preserves the intense rivalry between Hamilton and Verstappen without escalating tensions through official reprimands. It also reflects the challenges race officials face in fairly adjudicating incidents in real time, especially when high-speed decisions are involved and technical limitations restrict clear analysis.
As the 2025 season approaches, the evolving stewardship and penalty system will continue to influence racing tactics and driver behavior. With figures like Steven Knowles taking on more regulatory responsibility, teams are expected to sharpen their focus on steward interactions and penalty management to safeguard championship ambitions.
