Formula 1 - Verstappen angry and helpless - Quarrel in the winning team
Max Verstappen didn't have a clean getaway as a young driver over the team radio, topping off his controversial tour at the Hungaroring with a near-accident. The three-time Formula-1 World Champion suffered another setback in the "Sausage" Race at Hungaroring and couldn't win the third consecutive race for Red Bull. He didn't even make it to the podium after a disastrous strategy and his own mistake. He finished fifth.
Instead, Oscar Piastri celebrated his first Grand Prix win as team rival Lando Norris overtook him just before the finish line, following repeated reminders and orders from the McLaren command center. Norris had previously benefited from a team decision that clearly disadvantaged Piastri. McLaren will also face serious repercussions from this race.
Third place went to Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes ahead of Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. Verstappen, who lost eight points in the standings at his home race in Spa-Francorchamps, still has 76 more points than Norris. Nico Hülkenberg finished 13th in the Haas.
Verstappen's Attack on the McLaren Double Pack at the Start
Many opportunities didn't present themselves for Verstappen to pass at least one, if not both McLarens after finishing third in qualifying behind Norris and Piastri.
Ideally, at the start. So, Verstappen immediately attacked as the red lights went out. Norris tried to defend his third pole position of his career against both his teammate Piastri and Verstappen, pushing inwards where only the track wall was left beside him. Norris' gas pedal, which had given him problems during the warm-up lap, functioned perfectly.
Verstappen seized the opportunity and attacked the McLaren pair in Papaya Orange. The trio entered the first turn almost side by side, and it became tight. Piastri was in the middle, Norris in the middle, and Verstappen was on the outside. Verstappen had to make a wide turn, exiting the track, passing Piastri, but getting ahead of Russell again.
New Test for Verstappen and Norris' Friendship
The investigation initiated by the race stewards immediately after the maneuver was dropped. A repercussion could still ensue. Memories resurfaced of Verstappen's duel with Norris in Spielberg, where the cars touched, Norris retired, and Verstappen salvaged fifth place. Norris demanded an apology, questioned their friendship - only to withdraw his demands a few days later. And Verstappen valued their friendship more.
The pecking order before the penultimate race before the summer break was now set. Piastri, who finished second in Austria, led Norris, Verstappen, and Hamilton. Far behind were Verstappen's teammate Sergio Pérez, who was focusing on damage control.
After a crash in qualifying, he started from 16th place. Hungary and Belgium in a week could be the final trials for him, as he risks losing his cockpit during the summer break. "We can't run on one leg," team principal Christian Horner warned in Hungary. Ultimately, Pérez finished seventh.
At Max Verstappen's camp, the weekend did not go as hoped with over 300,000 spectators, despite the innovations on the RB 20. During the race, he also complained about the brakes, but then drove the fastest lap shortly afterwards. Meanwhile, Hamilton put pressure on him two weeks after his return to the top spot with his overall 104th career win. The seven-time champion was behind Piastri and Norris after the first tire change.
With nine poles and eight wins, Hamilton is the Hungaroring specialist. However, he couldn't catch up to Piastri and Norris. Instead, Verstappen suddenly gained strength and was close to Hamilton after just over half the race distance. However, both Hamilton and Leclerc in the Ferrari made their second tire change, which only made Verstappen's bad mood even worse.
Verstappen's race engineer: You're childish
McLaren did better - at least temporarily, and that was only from Norris' perspective, who benefited from an earlier second tire change. In general, the driver in a better position is usually lapped first. In this case, not this time, we will manage the situation, McLaren told Piastri. The most intriguing question: Would Norris let Piastri pass? The team reminded him sternly of Sunday meetings and ultimately let him pass.
And that even though Verstappen overtook Hamilton with a maneuver and lost more points. Piastri's joy was dampened by the chaos of the tactics. At Red Bull, the race engineer retorted angrily to the angry Verstappen: You're childish.
Verstappen's struggle in Budapest extended beyond the race track, as he faced criticism for his actions during the GP Hungary. Despite the controversy, the Hungaroring marked a significant milestone for McLaren Group Limited, with Oscar Piastri securing his first Formula 1 victory.
Piastri's victory was a bitter pill for Red Bull, particularly for Max Verstappen, who had started the race hopeful after securing the third pole position of his career. However, a tight turn at the first corner saw Verstappen lose ground, eventually finishing fifth.
The disappointment for Verstappen was further compounded by the fact that this was his home race at Spa-Francorchamps, where he had lost eight valuable points. Despite this setback, Verstappen maintained a comfortable lead in the standings, with 76 more points than Lando Norris.
Norris' performance during the GP Hungary was a mixed bag. While he benefited from team decisions that disadvantaged Piastri, he was later penalized for overtaking under yellow flags. Although he managed to finish second, his victory celebrations were tainted by the controversy.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc clinched third place for Ferrari, pushing Mercedez-Benz's Lewis Hamilton into fourth. The Hungarian Grand Prix was a crucial turning point in the 2023 Formula 1 season, with the top drivers jostling for position ahead of the summer break.
Sergio Perez, Verstappen's Red Bull teammate, struggled in Budapest, finishing seventh after a crash in qualifying. With the summer break looming, Perez's future with the team remained uncertain, as team principal Christian Horner warned of potential changes.
Despite the challenges, the Formula 1 community remained engaged, with Motorsport pundits discussing the weekend's events and analyzing the performances of each driver. The Formula 1 World Championship continued to captivate fans worldwide, with the next race scheduled in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.
In the aftermath of the GP Hungary, Max Verstappen's future with Red Bull remained a topic of speculation. His relationship with teammate Lando Norris, strained by the events in Budapest, was another story to watch. The upcoming race in Spa-Francorchamps was set to determine the pecking order for the second half of the season.
With the stage set for an exciting second half of the season, Formula 1 fans looked forward to the action-packed races ahead. The championship, with its unpredictable twists and turns, promised to keep fans on the edge of their seats until the final race in Abu Dhabi.
