Max Verstappen has bemused “a tough race” as he scrapped to fifth place at 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix.
In an uncharacteristically snappy mood, Verstappen ran off-track at the opening corner and re-joined in second ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, yet needed persuasion to give back the position eventually on Lap 4.
Verstappen though couldn’t keep pace with Norris and race leader – Oscar Piastri as he explained: “We had to fight our way back and lost so much time that we lost touch with both the McLarens.”
“The 26 year-old’s move worsened as he found himself stuck behind Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton after the first pit stop phase, which left him angrily slamming Red Bull’s strategy over team radio.
His race strategy and desire for a podium finish ultimately led to an ill-tempered moment on Lap 64, as he lunged up the inside of Hamilton only to hit the inside kerb and slide airborne across the track.
Verstappen eventually settled for fifth at the checkered flag with his title lead over Norris reduced to 76 points, after the Brit finished second to Piastri who took his maiden Grand Prix win.
Reflecting upon that incident which stewards declared post-race to be a racing accident, Verstappen vowed to review the collision.
“I need to look back at what happened with Lewis but I committed to the move and I don’t think I braked too late but we collided.”
Verstappen though felt mostly let down by his race strategy and strategy as he continued: “We got stuck behind cars and let ourselves get undercut and I think we just didn’t have our best day.
“As the pace of the car wasn’t as good, we really needed to capitalise on the strategy and we just didn’t manage to do that today.”
Red Bull Team Principal, Christian Horner however argued that Verstappen’s strategy was targeted to give him pace towards the end of the second and third phases of the race.
“We tried giving an overlap to give Max the pace but to no avail.”