Hungarian GP: Max Verstappen says investigation into transfer on Lewis Hamilton was ‘obscure’

Max Verstappen stated it was “difficult to understand” why his Hungarian Grand Prix move on Lewis Hamilton was investigated by the stewards, earlier than he finally escaped with out punishment.

On an underwhelming weekend for the pair of a number of world champions, they have been battling for eleventh on the Hungaroring when Crimson Bull’s Verstappen lunged up the within of Ferrari’s Hamilton at Flip 4 on Lap 29.

Hamilton ran off observe in an obvious effort to keep away from contact with Verstappen, with there being preliminary confusion as as to whether the pair had in truth collided.

The stewards determined to research the incident after the race slightly than make a direct determination, giving them the prospect to listen to the drivers’ variations of what occurred.

Verstappen insisted that he had solely run to the sting of the observe on the exit of the nook as a result of he had seen Hamilton go off, and that he had enough management of his Crimson Bull to depart area for the Ferrari on the skin had he have wanted to.

With a downbeat Hamilton selecting to not attend the listening to and a Ferrari consultant merely saying that the Brit “chose not to attempt to remain on track”, the stewards determined that the edge hadn’t been reached for a penalty, that means Verstappen saved his ninth place.

Talking earlier than the choice had been confirmed, Verstappen stated: “Properly, the factor is that nothing occurs. We did not even contact.

“That’s the thing. So, for me, it’s a bit difficult to understand why we have the investigation after the race.

“We defined our aspect – nicely, Lewis is just not there, however we defined our sides of the story. I do not suppose Lewis truly felt lots for it as a result of if he actually felt one thing for it, then after all he is there within the stewards room, proper?

“I think both of us didn’t have the best of weekends anyway, so that’s just one little thing.

“The extra vital factor is that we have now to take a look at our efficiency, which was not good.”

Did Hamilton’s absence from hearing help Verstappen?

Verstappen was at risk of a penalty due to the fact he had failed to meet the requirement of having his front axle alongside the mirror of Hamilton’s car at the apex.

That meant Hamilton technically remained in control of the corner, and that contact between the pair would have likely resulted in a penalty for Verstappen.

Explaining the incident from his perspective, Verstappen said: “I went for a transfer on the inside. After all it is a quick nook, however with downforce you are a bit extra below management 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 course went off the track.

“And that was it. Yeah, we did not contact, nothing occurred.”

Hamilton, who had described himself as “ineffective” after a disappointing qualifying display on Saturday, told Sky Sports F1 that he didn’t “actually keep in mind” the incident with Verstappen.

The stewards’ full written determination appeared to counsel that Hamilton attending the listening to and placing ahead a case could have impacted their determination.

The choice learn: “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 motive force of Automobile 1 acknowledged through the listening to that he had gained some momentum on Automobile 44 out of Flip 3 with more energizing tyres and used this momentum to make a transfer on the within into Flip 4. He additional elaborated that he was in full management of his automobile and will have stayed additional to the within to depart area for Automobile 44 on the exit. Nonetheless he stated, as Automobile 44 had gone off observe, he elected to make use of all the observe 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 under consideration, the Stewards decide that there was no contact and that the incident doesn’t qualify as forcing one other automobile off observe regardless of the formidable nature of the overtaking try and take no additional motion.”

Formula 1 returns after the summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on August 29-31, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime