The drama between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen took center stage once again at the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend. The two racing titans collided while fiercely battling for third place in the closing laps at the Hungaroring, sparking a wave of controversy and heated exchanges.
As Verstappen, visibly frustrated, expressed his anger over his team’s strategy and car performance, Hamilton was quick to voice his own surprise at the race’s outcome. The clash saw Verstappen’s car briefly airborne after locking up and clipping Hamilton’s front right tire on lap 63, ultimately demoting the Dutchman to a fifth-place finish. Meanwhile, Hamilton managed to secure third place, trailing behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Despite neither driver being found predominantly at fault for the incident, the stewards did suggest that Hamilton “could have done more to avoid the collision.” The seven-time world champion, however, found the judgement perplexing.
“I was really, really surprised by it,” Hamilton remarked, reflecting on the stewards’ decision which came hours after the race concluded. “I thought it was a racing incident and expected everyone to move on. When you look at the replay, it’s clear that I left a lot of room on the right-hand side. I was very far from the apex, so I was surprised by the stewards’ perspective.”
The post-race tension didn’t end on the track. Verstappen’s frustration was palpable over the radio as he clashed with his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, criticizing the car’s performance and strategic decisions. These heated exchanges are not new to F1 fans, but the collision with Hamilton seemed to amplify Verstappen’s discontent.
Hamilton, never one to shy away from a candid opinion, offered his thoughts on Verstappen’s behavior, urging the Red Bull driver to “act like a champion.”
“You have to be a team leader, a team member,” Hamilton stated. “Maybe not so much a team leader, but always remember you are a teammate with lots of people, and you have to act like a world champion.”
As the Formula 1 season heads into its summer break, the tension between these two rivals adds an extra layer of intrigue. With the Belgian Grand Prix on the horizon, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this ongoing rivalry will unfold.
Hamilton and Verstappen’s rivalry continues to be one of the most compelling narratives in Formula 1, driving the sport’s drama and excitement to new heights. The upcoming races promise to be a thrilling spectacle as these two champions continue their battle for supremacy on the track.
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