F1 Hungarian GP 2025: Verstappen Escapes Penalty for Aggressive Move on Hamilton

Max Verstappen has escaped any penalty after a tense on-track moment with Lewis Hamilton during Lap 29 of the Hungarian GP. The incident, which occurred when Verstappen made a bold move at Turn 4, triggered a post-race investigation but ended without punishment. Stewards ruled that the Red Bull driver's aggressive manoeuvre did not breach racing rules. Verstappen had dived inside Hamilton's Ferrari at Turn 4, which caused the Briton to veer off onto the run-off area to avoid contact. The Ferrari driver lost time and position as a result. Fans and commentators were quick to question whether Verstappen’s move went beyond hard racing, pointing to the time lost by Hamilton as a possible unfair gain for the Dutchman.

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In response, Verstappen defended his actions, stating that he maintained control and believed Hamilton had already committed to the run-off. The FIA concluded there was no illegal forcing-off or unjust advantage gained.

Labelled as "hard but fair racing", the ruling supported F1’s current stance on allowing racers to battle freely. While Ferrari appeared unhappy with the outcome, the verdict reinforced the sport’s “let them race” policy, despite ongoing tension between the two former title rivals.

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This latest clash served as a reminder of the fiery Verstappen-Hamilton rivalry, especially reminiscent of their dramatic 2021 battles. Though this incident lacked the chaos of previous encounters, it reignited the debate over how consistently F1 enforces racing rules. As the season continues, fans are likely to watch their future duels with renewed intensity.