No action taken after scary Hamilton-Verstappen incident
After the FIA stewards launched an investigation into the scary incident between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, the governing body has now confirmed that the seven-time world champion escaped a potential penalty. F1Technical’s lead journalist Balazs Szabo reports from the Hungaroring.
Hamilton and Verstappen was locked in a fight for third place before the second pit stop, but that battle ended early when Mercedes called the Briton in for a tyre change.
However, the pair met again in the closing stages of the race when Verstappen rapidly closed in on Hamilton.
With eight laps left, Verstappen attacked Hamilton at Turn 1, making a dive from a long way back.
The Dutchman locked up both front wheels and with Hamilton having turned in, Verstappen slid straight on and hit Hamilton's right-front wheel.
The reigning champion went up in the air and off. He was able to continue, but dropped behind the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, and finished down in P5.
The stewards announced that they would investigate the incident, but they have now confirmed that the crash between the seven-time and three-time world champion remains unpunished.
The FIA’s full verdict read: “The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 1 (Max Verstappen), the driver of Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton), team representatives and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing, telemetry, and in-car video evidence.
“On the approach to turn 1, both Car 44 and Car 1 overtook Car 23. Car 44 returned to the racing line before the braking zone and commenced to turn into turn 1.
“Car 1 approached the turn faster than on previous laps (due to DRS) and braked at the same point as previously. The driver of Car 1 argued that Car 44 was changing direction under braking. The driver of Car 44 stated that he was simply following his normal racing line (which was confirmed by examination of video and telemetry evidence of previous laps).
“It was clear that Car 1 locked up both front wheels on the approach to turn 1 prior to any impact occurring but missing the normal cornering line for a typical overtaking manoeuvre.
“The driver of Car 44 stated that this was a racing incident, whilst the driver of Car 1 argued that this was a case of changing direction under braking.
“The Stewards do not consider this to be a typical case of “changing direction under braking” although it is our determination that the driver of Car 44 could have done more to avoid the collision.
“Accordingly we determine that no driver was predominantly to blame and decide to take no further action.
“Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.”
