After the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday, Max Verstappen came under investigation due to a move involving Lewis Hamilton during the race. On lap 29, Verstappen attempted to pass Hamilton into turn four, which resulted in Hamilton veering off the track to avoid a potential collision. This incident has reignited debate online around the legitimacy and safety of the racing maneuver.
The race stewards officially noted Verstappen’s move during the race and confirmed they would investigate it post-event. While no direct contact between the drivers was visible on the race broadcast, the overtaking attempt clearly drew their attention. Fans have widely reacted to the announcement, questioning why Verstappen was being scrutinized despite no apparent collision occurring on track.
Social Media Reacts Strongly to Verstappen’s Investigation
Reactions from fans on social media platforms demonstrated frustration and disbelief over the stewards’ decision. Many expressed skepticism about the rationale behind penalizing Verstappen when the overtaking attempt appeared clean and Hamilton only moved off the track in response.
“Max is getting a penalty for scaring a fragile old man ???,” questioned one fan.
“You must now call ahead, RVSP and tweet an announcement video before overtaking otherwise someone could get frightened,” said another fan.
“Max Verstappen pushing Lewis Hamilton off the track to overtake, water is wet,” wrote one fan.
“So…..if someone cuts you up on the road, do you take avoiding action, or accept the collision and hope you live to tell the tale?” questioned another user.
“If max gets a penalty I’m not even going to act surprised,” said another fan.
At this stage, both Verstappen and Hamilton have been summoned by the race stewards to provide their accounts of the incident. Despite the inquiry, Hamilton, a four-time world champion, finished the race in ninth place, more than 15 seconds behind Kimi Antonelli in tenth. Any penalty applied after the event is not expected to affect Hamilton’s disappointing result.
Verstappen Comments on Hamilton’s Reaction During the Race
Following the race, Max Verstappen offered his perspective on the encounter with Lewis Hamilton. Speaking with Viaplay, he suggested that Hamilton became fearful when Verstappen approached closely on lap 29. Verstappen also expressed regret that the stewards called him in after the race to explain the event.
“I’m sorry that I have to go to the stewards after the race. Just analyze that during the race. I don’t understand why we have to go there anyway,” said Verstappen.
“I put my nose in, and he gets scared and goes off the track. I have no idea what’s going on there,” he added.
Verstappen downplayed any concerns about receiving a penalty, stating that it would not significantly impact him given his current low points haul from finishing ninth. The reigning world champion showed frustration at the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the incident but did not appear overly concerned about the outcome.
Implications of the Incident for Verstappen and Formula 1
This episode highlights the fine line in Formula 1 between aggressive racing and ensuring driver safety, a tension that frequently causes heated discussions among fans and officials alike. The investigation into Max Verstappen’s move on Lewis Hamilton illuminates the challenge stewards face in judging close on-track battles where no physical contact occurs but one driver is forced off the racing line.
For Verstappen, who leads the championship, maintaining composure amid criticism is crucial, especially as the season progresses with every point mattering. The stewards’ decision could set a precedent for future overtakes and defensive maneuvers, influencing how risks are managed on track in the remaining races.
