Un Hungarian GP complicated for Max Verstappen. His Red Bull never managed to worry the two McLarens of Piastri and di Norris. Furthermore, after a contact with Lewis Hamilton at the end of the race, Verstappen went off the track and finished the grand prix in fifth place, just behind Leclerc's Ferrari.
Difficult Hungarian GP for Verstappen. He is only fifth at the finish line
Max Verstappen hasn't crossed the finish line in first place in three grands prix. It hasn't happened since 2021, when the Dutch driver had to compete in every race with Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes. This certainly also influences the profound dissatisfaction that Max Verstappen felt during the Hungarian GP. Right from the start the world champion was forced to give the position back to Lando Norris, after having taken advantage at the first corner by accelerating off the track. Finally, the strategy chosen by the team was also not to his liking. It is no coincidence that Verstappen opened up critically on the radio several times, with Lambiase, his race engineer, who was forced to respond in kind several times. To all this must also be added the issue of updates. Red Bull had arrived at the Hungaroring hoping that the modifications fitted to the Dutchman's car would lead to a notable leap forward in performance.
This was not the case and this will certainly have further embittered Verstappen. The latter, as if that wasn't enough, in an attempt to overtake Lewis Hamilton and grab at least third position, came into contact with the English driver. His car soared upwards for a few seconds and landed back off the track without suffering any damage. Luckily for Verstappen, the stewards did not judge his move to be irregular, thus avoiding a penalty that would have only worsened the already tense and complicated situation at Red Bull.
Verstappen justifies his aggressive radio teams: "that's how I am"
In recent years, no opportunity has been missed to underline the greatness of Max Verstappen. The fact is that, since Red Bull is no longer the exceptional car at the start of the championship, even the number 1 is starting to feel the tension. The games are getting tough, the team is in a complicated situation, both from a sporting and administrative point of view. The Hungarian weekend certainly didn't help, but, even more so, the constant bickering between the pit wall and a very nervous Max Verstappen didn't help. Yet, from the start of the race it was clear that Red Bull did not have the pace to worry the two McLarens. The maximum objective was therefore third place, which Max would have easily achieved if he had not come into contact with Hamilton. Things went differently, with the Dutchman criticizing the team several times for making him suffer two undercuts from Leclerc and Hamilton himself, thus putting him, according to him, in an uncomfortable race situation.
Post-race Max Verstappen justified his aggressive radio teams in his own way. “It was a little annoying to suffer these decisions. Why shouldn't I express my opinion? That's how I am. If people think this affects my riding they don't know me. I'm always very focused on what I have to do. Obviously on bad days people can always complain, but it doesn't worry me".
