FIA announce Max Verstappen decision after Lewis Hamilton incident triggers investigation
This is a breaking news story from PlanetF1.com
Max Verstappen will face no further action after the FIA launched an investigation into an incident with Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton during the Hungarian Grand Prix.
It comes after Hamilton waived his right to attend the post-race hearing in Budapest.
FIA confirm no further action after Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton incident
Verstappen overtook Hamilton for 11th place at Turn 4 close to the halfway stage of the Hungarian Grand Prix, with the Ferrari driver taking to the run-off area.
Verstappen’s car was only marginally alongside Hamilton’s at the time of the incident.
The incident was quickly noted by Race Control before it was announced that Verstappen was under investigation.
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It was confirmed a short time later that the investigation would be held after the race, giving Verstappen and Hamilton the opportunity to share their sides of the story.
The drivers, along with team representatives of Red Bull and Ferrari, were required to meet the stewards at 1715 local time in Budapest with Verstappen accused of allegedly forcing Hamilton off track.
However, Hamilton did not attend the hearing after waiving his right to end.
The FIA later confirmed that Verstappen will face no further action as the incident did not count as “forcing another car off track despite the ambitious nature of the overtaking attempt.”
The stewards’ verdict read: “The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 1 (Max Verstappen), team representatives and video and in-car video evidence.
“The driver of Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton) waived his right to attend the hearing.
“The driver of Car 1 stated during the hearing that he had gained some momentum on Car 44 out of Turn 3 with fresher tyres and used this momentum to make a move on the inside into Turn 4.
“He further elaborated that he was in full control of his car and could have stayed further to the inside to leave space for Car 44 on the exit.
“However he said, as Car 44 had gone off track, he elected to use all of the track on the exit.
“The team representative of Car 44 confirmed that there was no contact between both cars and further stated that the driver of Car 44 chose not to attempt to remain on track.
“Taking all this into account, the Stewards determine that there was no contact and that the incident does not qualify as forcing another car off track despite the ambitious nature of the overtaking attempt and take no further action.”
Verstappen’s Red Bull team made its feelings on the incident clear in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
In a series of live updates on the team’s social media channels, Red Bull wrote: “Lap 30: Max scares Lewis off the road at Turn 4 and is up to P11.”
The message was accompanied by an ‘applause’ emoji.
Verstappen and Hamilton both had frustrating weekends in Hungary prior to the incident at Turn 4.
More on Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton from PlanetF1.com
Verstappen, who found himself under investigation after throwing a towel from his car during Friday’s second practice session, claimed that he is unlikely to win a race again in F1 2025 after qualifying eighth in Budapest.
Hamilton, meanwhile, failed to make Q3 for the third qualifying session in a row following two Q1 exits in the space of 24 hours at last weekend’s sprint weekend in Belgium.
After qualifying 12th in Hungary, where Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc stormed to pole position, Hamilton called himself “useless” before suggesting that Ferrari should consider replacing him.
He said: “It’s just me every time. I’m useless, absolutely useless.
“Team has no problem, you’ve seen the car’s on pole. They probably need to change driver.”
Verstappen and Hamilton famously duelled for the title over the course of a thrilling 2021 season, which ended with the Red Bull driver securing his maiden World Championship at a highly controversial season finale in Abu Dhabi.
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