Max Verstappen finds it difficult to understand why there was a post-race investigation into the incident with Lewis Hamilton at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where there was no contact between the two.
Hamilton ran a big 4 turns after Verstappen attempted a left-handed inside movement, and the Red Bull driver’s front right wheel approached in contact with Hamilton’s rear left. As a result, Verstappen took the position and the steward began investigating the incident, but chose to speak with the driver and the post-race race after Hamilton representative suggested that Ferrari drivers had chosen not to get back on track.
“The problem is that nothing happened,” Verstappen said. “We didn’t even touch it. That’s right. So for me it’s a bit difficult to understand why we did the research after the race.
“I don’t think Lewis actually felt that. If he really felt something, of course he’s in the steward’s room. I don’t think we both had the best of the weekend anyway.
“I went upwards inside, because it’s a fast angle, but in downforce you’re a little more control anyway. I think he’s very late to being there, so he came out a bit more from it, and of course it was on track.
“Of course, we have so many rules, so I think it’s always a complicated issue. It’s not always very clear in things. It’s always a bit strange that you have to go to the steward for something you don’t have contacts or anything.”
The Steward’s decision referenced the fact that they felt Verstappen was “ambitious” in his move, but did not drive Hamilton off the circuit.
“The Car 1 driver said at the hearing that he gained momentum of 44 of Turn 3 with fresher tires and used this momentum to move inside to Turn 4,” the decision read. “He also said he was in full control of his car and was able to stay further inside to get out of the space of car 44 at the exit.
“The team president for Car 44 confirmed that there was no contact between both cars and also said that the car driver chose not to stay on track.
“Taking all this into consideration, the steward decides that there is no contact and that the incident is not recognized as being driven out of track despite the ambitious nature of the attempt to overtake, and does not take any further action.”
Hamilton didn’t score in 12th, but Verstappen was limited to 9th overall, and despite the defending champions complaining about Team Radio’s Red Bull strategy, they had little opportunity to secure a better outcome.
“I don’t think (strategy) is our biggest problem. The whole weekend was really slow. We had a lot of trouble with grip at slow speeds and medium speeds. That was also an issue in the race.