Verstappen cleared over turn four incident as Hamilton chooses not to attend hearing

The stewards have taken no action after investigating whether Max Verstappen forced Lewis Hamilton off the track while they fought for position during the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The incident occured when Verstappen attempted to pass Hamilton at the high-speed turn four. The Red Bull driver only drew a short distance alongside Hamilton, who began to turn in then turned onto the asphalt run-off area on the outside, avoiding a collision. Verstappen overtook him.

The Red Bull driver was investigated under a clause in the International Sporting Code which states, among other things, that: “manoeuvres liable to hinder other drivers, such as deliberate crowding of a car beyond the edge of the track or any other abnormal change of direction, are strictly prohibited” and “any driver who appears guilty of any of the above offences will be reported to the stewards.”

The stewards noted the incident during the race but announced it would not be investigated until after they had spoken to the drivers. However Hamilton chose not to attend the hearing and following their discussion the stewards resolved to take no action.

“The driver of car one [Verstappen] stated during the hearing that he had gained some momentum on car 44 [Hamilton] out of turn three with fresher tyres and used this momentum to make a move on the inside into turn four.

“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.

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“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.”

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