Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen opened up on the incident with Lewis Hamilton during the Hungarian Grand Prix, which came under the scanner of the FIA stewards. Verstappen believed there was no need for an investigation since their cars did not make contact.
Lap 29 of the race saw Verstappen get very close to Hamilton on Turn 4 as he attempted an overtake. Just as he began to pass the seven-time world champion, Hamilton went off the track before rejoining the race behind Verstappen.
From the broadcast, it was unclear if Verstappen made contact with Hamilton that potentially pushed his Ferrari off the racetrack, or if Hamilton reacted to avoid a collision.
The FIA began its investigation to ascertain if Verstappen pushed Hamilton off the track to gain an undue advantage, and the verdict was announced after the Grand Prix. The four-time world champion addressed the media before the FIA published its ruling. He said:
“The thing is that nothing happened. 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.
“We explained our side. Well, 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, he’s there in the stewards’ room, right?”
Hamilton started the race in P12 and finished in the same position, while Verstappen started in P8 but finished in P9. He added:
“I think both of us didn’t have the best of weekends anyway, so that’s just that one little thing. What is the more important thing is that we have to look at our performance, which was not good.”
Elaborating on the incident, Verstappen said:
“I went for a move at 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, of course, went off the track, and that was it. We didn’t touch. Nothing happens.”
The Dutch driver believes there was no point in going to the stewards because neither car made contact. He was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing by the FIA. He said:
“I think the problem is that we have so many rules, of course, it’s always a complicated matter. It’s not always super clear with things.
“But it’s always a bit weird that you have to go to the stewards for something that you didn’t have even a contact or whatever.”
Related: FIA Delivers Verdict on Max Verstappen – Lewis Hamilton Hungarian GP Incident
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