Max Verstappen’s Frustrating Finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix

During the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, Red Bull‘s Max Verstappen encountered a turbulent race that saw him lose momentum following a collision with Lewis Hamilton. This incident, which resulted in Verstappen’s car going airborne, ultimately cost him a podium finish in the event.

The incident unfolded with only seven laps remaining in the race as the two drivers battled fiercely for a coveted spot on the podium. Verstappen, attempting to surge ahead of Hamilton by taking an inside line, found himself squeezed for space. The clash occurred as Hamilton’s front wheel made contact with Verstappen’s car, propelling the rear end upwards and sending the champion momentarily off-track.

Verstappen’s ill-fated maneuver caused him to drop to fifth place, missing out on what could have been a critical top-three finish. Throughout the race, the reigning champion struggled with both the performance of his car and his team’s strategy, leaving him visibly frustrated as the championship battle intensified.

At the start of the race, Verstappen faced challenges even before the first corner as he vied for the lead against competitors Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. In an effort to avoid a collision, Verstappen chose to leave the track, a decision that raised eyebrows and led to scrutiny from race stewards. Under Formula 1 regulations, overtaking outside track limits is prohibited, and as a result, Verstappen found himself subject to an investigation after failing to relinquish his position.

While Verstappen grappled with his own setbacks, the race story continued to shift as Hamilton gained an advantage through a strategic early pit stop. When Verstappen finally re-emerged to reclaim his spot on the track, the encounter with Hamilton was inevitable.

After the collision, Hamilton managed to retain his position, finishing third behind McLaren drivers Piastri and Norris, while Verstappen dropped behind Ferrari‘s Charles Leclerc. The collision between Verstappen and Hamilton prompted an inquiry from race officials, as both drivers assessed the incident differently. Hamilton described their fight as a typical instance of racing, maintaining that the clash was just a racing incident.

In his reflection on the race, Hamilton acknowledged the tense nature of his battle with Verstappen, emphasizing the competitive spirit present in their rivalry. “When you see the pace at which they closed the gap in certain corners, you just laugh to yourself because it’s not something I can do. I saw him coming from a long way back, and he sent it up the inside, I stayed still, and he clipped the wheel and went over,” Hamilton remarked.

Amid the chaotic finish, it was Piastri who emerged as the star of the race, securing his first Formula 1 victory in dramatic fashion. With Norris initially leading due to clever pit strategy, team orders eventually required him to cede the lead back to Piastri as the race neared conclusion. After several increasingly urgent messages from the McLaren pit wall, Norris complied with orders, allowing Piastri to take the checkered flag.

While Verstappen’s day ended in disappointment, there was some cause for optimism at Red Bull. Teammate Sergio Perez displayed resilience as he navigated through the field, finishing in seventh place after starting from the 16th grid position. This performance hinted at a rebound for Red Bull, albeit overshadowed by Verstappen’s frustration as he found himself winless for three races—a worrying trend for the championship leader.

Despite the ups and downs of the race, McLaren garnered significant points in the Constructors’ Championship, now just 51 points behind Red Bull with 11 races left in the season. Meanwhile, the investigation into the Hamilton-Verstappen contact will loom over their rivalry as they prepare for the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix, the final race before the summer break.

The 2024 Formula 1 season unfolds with plenty of drama, and the stakes continue to grow as teams and drivers brace for the challenges that lie ahead. Viewers can catch all the excitement live on Sky Sports F1, ensuring they don’t miss a moment of the action.