FIA make judgement on eye-opening Max Verstappen v Lewis Hamilton incident
FIA provide verdict on incident between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton at F1 Hungarian Grand Prix
The FIA announced their decision after investigating an incident at the F1 Hungarian Grand Prix between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Verstappen overtook Hamilton with an audacious move into Turn 4 as the great rivals battled over 11th place but the seven-time world champion was forced wide in the process.
The pair almost came to blows at the apex of the corner before Hamilton ran over the kerb and onto the run-off area, enabling Verstappen to sneak past and move himself up the order.
The FIA stewards announced the incident would be investigated during the race, before later confirming it would be looked at following the conclusion of the 70-lap grand prix.
No further action was the judgement from the FIA.
They explained: "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 driver of Car 1 stated during the hearing that he had gained some momentum on Car 44 out of Turn 3 with fresher tyres and used this momentum to make a move on the inside into Turn 4.
"He further elaborated that he was in full control of his car and could have stayed further to the inside to leave space for Car 44 on the exit.
"However he said, as Car 44 had gone off track, he elected to use all of the track 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 into account, the Stewards determine that there was no contact and that the incident does not qualify as forcing another car off track despite the ambitious nature of the overtaking attempt and take no further action."
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton learn FIA decision
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen also clashed at last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix but with more dramatic consequences, with Verstappen sent airborne after colliding with Hamilton at Turn 1.
Anthony Davidson reminded F1 fans of the wording for overtaking rules.
“The overtaking car on the inside of a corner must have its front axel at least alongside the mirror of the other car, prior to and at the apex,” Davidson read.
His Sky Sports colleague Martin Brundle speculated that the decision may have hinged on whether contact was made between the drivers.
Red Bull wrote on their social media, with an applause emoji: "Lap 30: Max scares Lewis off the road at Turn 4 and is up to P11."
Here are the results from the F1 Hungarian Grand Prix.
The stewards moved quickly to hit Charles Leclerc with a five-second time penalty for erratic driving in a duel with Mercedes' George Russell.
Leclerc had already been enraged.
He started from pole position but shouted 'listen to me' via team radio as he fumed with Ferrari colleagues.
He told them he would imminently be overtaken and his words came true when Russell came zipping past.
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