Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen engaged in yet another on-track battle during the Hungarian Grand Prix, which ended with the four-time World Champion coming out on top after a daring move into Turn 1. According to the Briton, however, the Dutchman was simply acting naturally and had no added motivation to execute an overtake that seemed highly improbable. Lewis even took the opportunity to compliment his longtime rival.
Verstappen and Hamilton reached the peak of their rivalry during their heated 2021 title fight. Since then, with Red Bull dominating F1 and the seven-time champion facing struggles first at Mercedes and later at Ferrari, direct wheel-to-wheel battles between the two were few and far between between 2022 and 2025.
However, the arrival of the new technical regulations brought back direct duels between Hamilton and Verstappen, who have already gone head-to-head in Canada, Austria, Great Britain, and Hungary this season. Their latest encounter featured a masterclass maneuver from the Dutchman.
Verstappen and Hamilton were battling for third place, with the seven-time champion having claimed the position following pit stops. On lap 16, however, the four-time World Champion dove down the inside into Turn 1, executing a stunning double overtake on both Liam Lawson and Lewis Hamilton.
The Briton praised the move, dismissing any suggestion that their rivalry served as extra motivation to pull off the pass.
“He does that with everyone. That’s what makes Max so fantastic. That’s why Red Bull pays him such a high salary. Every lap, every corner, and every braking point, he just keeps fighting,” Hamilton told De Telegraaf.
Formula 1 is currently on summer break. The series resumes 2026 season action from August 21 to 23 with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
