Max Verstappen vs. Lewis Hamilton: Flashpoint in Hungary Highlights Red Bull’s Growing Troubles

The 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix produced one of the most talked-about flashpoints of the season, when Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton came perilously close to colliding in what became a heart-stopping moment of high-stakes racing. Though the incident ultimately amounted to nothing in terms of penalties, it was emblematic of two major storylines in Formula 1 right now: the fierce edge that still lingers in the Verstappen-Hamilton rivalry, and the sudden and shocking downturn in Red Bull’s performance.

The Incident: Near Miss at Turn 4

It all unfolded just after Max Verstappen bolted on a fresh set of hard tires and began clawing his way through the midfield. With calculated aggression, the reigning world champion picked off cars with surgical precision. Before long, he found himself behind an unusual target—none other than seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton, running behind a tight pack including Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman, and Isaac Hadjar, was struggling to hold position. Verstappen, in contrast, was charging hard with superior grip and fresher tires. After shadowing Hamilton for five laps, Verstappen launched a bold move down the inside of Turn 4—a fast, risky corner where overtaking is possible but never without consequence.

Hamilton veered off, taking to the runoff area. No contact was made, but the maneuver was quickly placed under investigation.

What the Stewards Said

Following the race, the stewards reviewed the incident and decided on a “no further action” verdict. Their reasoning was clear: Verstappen hadn’t forced Hamilton off the track. Hamilton chose not to appear before the stewards, while Ferrari (representing Hamilton) confirmed that he had taken evasive action voluntarily.

Verstappen, during the hearing, emphasized that he had momentum exiting Turn 3 and made a clean move inside into Turn 4. He said he could have left more space, but saw Hamilton go off and used the full width of the track. Hamilton’s team corroborated that no contact was made and that Hamilton chose not to contest the line.

Stewards ultimately concluded that the aggressive move, though eyebrow-raising, did not breach sporting regulations.

Verstappen’s Reaction: Shrugging Off the Drama

Max Verstappen downplayed the incident entirely. In post-race interviews, he emphasized that there was “nothing really to the move,” highlighting that no contact occurred and suggesting Hamilton’s absence from the steward hearing implied he didn’t view it as worth protesting.

“That’s the thing—we didn’t even touch. So for me, it’s a bit difficult to understand why there was an investigation at all,” Verstappen said. “Lewis was not there. If he really felt something for it, of course he’s in the stewards’ room.”

His comments reflect not only confidence in the move but a growing frustration—one perhaps more rooted in Red Bull’s underperformance than the on-track squabble.

Red Bull’s Slump: Symptoms of a Bigger Problem?

While the Turn 4 incident grabbed headlines, the more significant narrative is Red Bull’s decline in performance. Opting for a two-stop strategy, Verstappen found himself stuck in traffic for much of the race—unable to make the kind of ground he’s used to reclaiming. Despite multiple overtakes, he could only manage ninth at the finish.

Post-race, Verstappen was blunt in his assessment:

“Like my whole weekend, there was just no grip, and I was struggling a lot. Not how we want to be. But I knew it was going to be a tough day.”

His doubts about Red Bull’s form have deepened. Speaking to Dutch media on Saturday, he admitted he’d tried “everything” to find performance in the RB21, but nothing was working.

“Of course I have some ideas, but I can’t always talk about them publicly. We’ll just have to wait and analyze everything after the weekend.”

This level of concern from Verstappen is uncharacteristic and signals a deeper issue within the team—especially when paired with his remark that Red Bull may not win another race this season under normal circumstances.

McLaren Ascendant, Red Bull in Denial?

Verstappen also pointed to McLaren as the new team to beat, refusing to make direct comparisons between their current form and Red Bull’s 2023 dominance. But the implication is clear: Red Bull’s technical edge is gone.

“That’s hard to judge if you haven’t driven both cars yourself. Let’s just leave it at that.”

This vague comment reflects Verstappen’s cautious frustration. While not outwardly critical, he’s no longer projecting the same confidence in Red Bull’s direction. There’s a sense that the champion driver is running out of answers—and maybe patience.

Helmut Marko and the Tire Theory

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko offered his own diagnosis: tires. According to Marko, the team failed to get the Pirelli compounds into the right temperature window. This failure to optimize tire performance is critical in modern F1, where mechanical and aerodynamic grip rely heavily on precise thermal management.

“The tires didn’t work. I say it’s only here, and I don’t think it will happen again if what we believe was the reason.”

While Verstappen hinted at deeper, possibly systemic issues, Marko believes Hungary was a one-off. That divergence of opinion could be telling. If the team’s technical leaders underestimate the depth of the problem, recovery may take longer than expected.

Team Principal Apologizes

New team principal Laurent Mekies even issued an apology to Verstappen over team radio after the race:

“Sorry Max, we didn’t give you the car you deserved. But thanks for trying as hard as you did.”

It was a rare moment of candor, indicating just how badly the weekend went for Red Bull. Mekies acknowledged that from FP1 onwards, something was fundamentally missing. Despite trying various setups with both Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda, the team couldn’t dial the car into a competitive window.

The Road Ahead: Summer Reset?

As Formula 1 heads into the summer break, the question now is: what should Red Bull focus on?

For starters, Verstappen’s complaints about grip, predictability, and cornering suggest the RB21 is no longer a well-rounded machine. While tracks like Hungary can expose weaknesses, the team needs a deeper dive into aero balance and tire management.

Secondly, strategy. Opting for a two-stopper in Hungary—a notoriously difficult circuit for overtaking—proved costly. Verstappen’s traffic woes highlight the importance of clear air and track position.

And finally, internal alignment. Verstappen’s tone hints at a disconnect between his assessment and the team’s. Red Bull must ensure the feedback loop between driver and engineers remains strong if they want to avoid further slippage.

Final Thoughts

The Verstappen-Hamilton flashpoint will generate headlines for weeks, but the real story is what lies beneath: Red Bull is off its peak, McLaren is surging, and the once-dominant RB21 is now just another car in the midfield scramble.

If Red Bull wants to salvage the remainder of the season—and set the tone for 2026—they need more than just tire answers. They need cohesion, bold technical thinking, and a recalibrated approach that allows Verstappen to do what he does best: dominate.

Until then, the hunt continues—not for wins, but for answers.

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