The FIA has announced their decision regarding an incident involving Max Verstappen at the start of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Verstappen began the race in P3 behind McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri after a challenging qualifying session. The world champion faced further difficulties later in the race after a collision with Lewis Hamilton, which prompted action from the FIA. At the start, the leading drivers were eager to take the lead, going three-wide into Turn 1.
Piastri took the lead after Verstappen attempted an overtake around the outside, but ran wide and went off the track. Verstappen rejoined in front of Norris, who demanded that Verstappen give the position back, claiming he had gained an illegal advantage. Both drivers complained over team radio, with Verstappen arguing that he was forced wide by Norris.
The FIA investigated the incident and considered penalizing Verstappen if he did not relinquish the position. Eventually, Verstappen let Norris pass to reclaim P2 but expressed his frustration over the radio, saying, “OK, so you can just drive people off the track then? You can tell the FIA that’s how we’re going to race from now onwards. Just driving people off the road.”
After reviewing the incident, the FIA determined that no further action would be taken against Verstappen.
“The Stewards reviewed video, radio, and in-car video evidence,” the FIA stated. “Car 1 [Verstappen] left the track at the exit of turn 1 while being alongside Car 4 [Norris] which was alongside Car 81 [Piastri]. Car 1 rejoined the track in front of Car 4 thereby gaining an advantage. However, the driver gave back the position to Car 4 subsequently upon instruction from the team, therefore no further action is taken as no lasting advantage was gained.”