During the recent Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, tensions between Formula 1 giants Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen flared again. A daring move by Verstappen to catch Hamilton at Bend Four led to a heated collision, both on and off the track. Hamilton, who was forced off the track during the incident, harshly criticized Verstappen, calling his driving behavior “dangerous” and the Dutchman himself “a fool.” He called on the FIA to take appropriate action against Verstappen due to his aggressive maneuver.

The accident at Bend Four

During round 30 of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen attempted to recover the tires of Freeter and Hamilton on the inside of Turn 4. Hamilton, who was driving for Ferrari at the time, was surprised by Verstappen’s speed and had to move to the outside of the track to avoid a collision. Although there was no contact between the two cars, the incident was noted by the stewards for further investigation. Hamilton did not comment on the on-board radio during the race, but later expressed his frustration and insisted on a penalty for Verstappen.

The FIA investigated the incident after the race and called on both drivers to come forward with their own accounts. Surprisingly, Hamilton did not appear at the hearing, while Verstappen was present to explain. According to Verstappen, he was in full control of his car and could have given Hamilton enough space, but Hamilton chose to leave the track. The stewards ultimately concluded that there was no contact and that Hamilton himself decided to leave his job so as not to penalize Verstappen.

Hamilton’s Fierce Indictment

After the race, Hamilton expressed his dissatisfaction in the media. He described Verstappens as “reckless” and called the Dutchman “a fool” who endangered the safety of other drivers. Hamilton emphasized that the FIA needed to send a clear message by punishing Verstappen for what he considered irresponsible driving behavior. These harsh words caused a lot of confusion in the Formula 1 world and on social media, where fans responded in a divided manner. Some supported Hamilton’s call for a stricter approach, while others felt he was sloppy and that the accident was a normal racing incident.

Verstappens’ acute reaction

Max Verstappen, known for his direct and fearless attitude, didn’t leave Hamilton’s accusations unanswered. In a post-race interview, he responded with a harsh eight-word statement: “He was shocked, not me, let him speak.” These words hit like a bombshell and forced Hamilton to moderate his tone. Verstappen emphasized that he saw no reason for a punishment and that he considered the incident a normal part of racing. “I don’t understand why we had to go to the stewards. I parked my car next to him, he was shocked, and I left the track. That’s all,” Verstappen told Viaplay. His indifferent attitude and confident reaction impressed fans and analysts, who praised the Dutchman for his cool and serious demeanor.

Comments and consequences

Verstappen’s statement seemed to force Hamilton into a more modest response. In a subsequent explanation, Hamilton indicated that he was trying to avoid a collision and that he didn’t see the incident as dangerous, a clear softening of his previous harsh words. This was seen by some as a sign that Hamilton had backed away after Verstappen’s brilliant response.

On social media, fans expressed surprise that the FIA investigated the accident, given that there was no contact between the cars. One user X wrote: “They didn’t even touch, why the drama?” Another fan noted: “Max did what he always does and Hamilton’s week. Nothing wrong with that.” The division among fans reflects the intense rivalry between the two drivers, who have already fought a controversial battle for the 2021 world championship.

The FIA ultimately ruled that no further action was necessary, a decision widely viewed as justified given the lack of contact and the statements from both teams. Ferrari confirmed that Hamilton himself chose to exit the track, and the Stewards described Verstappens’ action as “ambitious” but not punishable.

Yet the accident further fueled the rivalry between Hamilton and Verstappen. Both drivers had a disappointing weekend in Hungary, with Verstappen finishing ninth and Hamilton scoring no points and finishing twelfth. The Grand Prix was dominated by McLaren, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri claiming first and second place.

The incident between Hamilton and Verstappen during the Hungarian Grand Prix shows that tensions between these two champions are still high and burning. Hamilton’s accusation that Verstappen is “a fool” and his call for a punishment were expertly parried by Verstappen’s sharp and confident reaction. The FIA’s decision not to hand out a punishment seems to have restored peace for the moment, but with the intense rivalry between these two drivers, it’s only a matter of time before the next showdown arises. The Formula 1 world is eagerly awaiting how this battle will unfold after the summer break.