The race stewards have made a decision following the incident involving Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen during the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix. This collision, which occurred towards the end of the race, took place as both drivers were fighting for third place.
If the images suggest that Max Verstappen had a greater share of responsibility, the fact that only Max Verstappen suffered the consequences of this action no doubt played a role in the decision. Therefore, the FIA stewards have decided not to penalize the Red Bull driver.
The incident occurred at turn 1, where cars 44 (Hamilton) and 1 (Verstappen) overtook a backmarker, Alex Albon. According to the report, « Car 44 returned to the racing line before the braking zone and started turning into turn 1. Car 1 approached the corner faster than in previous laps (due to DRS) and braked at the same point as before.
Max Verstappen stated that car 44 changed direction during braking, an accusation denied by Lewis Hamilton, who said he was simply following his normal racing line. After examining the video and telemetry evidence, the stewards concluded that driver of car 1 had locked up his two front wheels before any impact.
CONTACT ENTRE VERSTAPPEN ET HAMILTON ! 😱
Max Verstappen et Lewis Hamilton s’accroche fortement, ce qui fait décoller la voiture du néerlandais. Le podium s’est peut-être joué ici !#HungarianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/kMGlsn1Nfl
— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) July 21, 2024
The stewards also noted that, although Hamilton could have done more to avoid the collision, they do not consider this as a typical case of changing direction under braking. Ultimately, they decided that neither driver is primarily responsible for the incident.
Lewis Hamilton described the collision as a “racing incident,” an opinion that was ultimately shared by the stewards. They concluded: « Consequently, we determine that no driver is primarily responsible and decide not to take any further action.
The fans of the two drivers will undoubtedly continue to debate this maneuver, but on paper, the matter is now closed.
