Lewis Hamilton has defended his racing against Max Verstappen after the Red Bull driver called for an FIA penalty during their intense wheel-to-wheel fight at the Austrian Grand Prix. Race stewards reviewed the incident but decided no further investigation or sanction was necessary, with Hamilton insisting Verstappen attempted an overtake that was never realistically on.
The battle between the former Formula 1 title rivals proved to be one of the standout moments of Sunday’s race at the Red Bull Ring.
While George Russell established an advantage at the front of the field, Verstappen closed rapidly on Hamilton’s Ferrari, setting up a fierce contest during the opening stint.
Verstappen called for FIA intervention
The decisive moment came on lap 11 when Verstappen launched an attack into Turn 3. Hamilton immediately fought back, leaving the pair side-by-side through the following sequence of high-speed corners. Verstappen eventually ran off the circuit and abandoned the move.
During the incident, Verstappen voiced his frustration over the Red Bull team radio, insisting Hamilton deserved a penalty.
The FIA reviewed the move but concluded that no further action was required, allowing the race to continue without investigation or sanction.
Speaking after the race when informed of Verstappen’s radio comments, Hamilton made it clear he believed the responsibility rested with the Red Bull driver.
“You don’t expect to be able to pass a champion on the outside.”
Hamilton added:
“I wouldn’t expect to be able to pass him on the outside there and hold the line either. He was behind at the entry point of the corner and therefore should have held back.”
The battle continued after the pit stops
The rivalry between Hamilton and Verstappen did not end there. Following the opening round of pit stops, the pair found themselves battling once again. Verstappen completed another move into Turn 3 before Hamilton immediately retaliated.
Their fight continued towards Turn 6, where Verstappen committed to an aggressive move down the inside to finally secure the position.
From that point onwards, their races took very different directions.
Verstappen continued to charge through the field and secured second place, matching his best result of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Hamilton, meanwhile, was forced to settle for fifth after Ferrari struggled with tyre degradation throughout the race.
Hamilton wants Ferrari’s next upgrade to deliver more
Despite Ferrari introducing a significant upgrade package, Hamilton admitted the improvements were not enough to challenge consistently at the front.
The seven-time world champion praised the team’s efforts but believes a much larger development step is still required.
“I am grateful to the team for continuing to push. The next update needs to be a much bigger step.”
Hamilton suggested the latest package represents only the beginning of Ferrari’s development programme, with further gains needed if the Scuderia is to compete regularly for victories during the remainder of the season.
Focus shifts to Silverstone
Attention now turns to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where Hamilton returns to his home race as a nine-time winner.
Although his duel with Verstappen generated significant discussion following the Austrian Grand Prix, it ultimately had no impact on the final classification after the FIA elected not to intervene.
Verstappen left Austria with second place, while Hamilton finished fifth and made it clear Ferrari must deliver a more substantial performance upgrade if the team hopes to challenge Red Bull and Mercedes consistently over the coming races.
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The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
That was hardly a ‘standout moment’ – and MV hardly ‘demanded’ a penalty.
It’s articles worded such as this that try hard to establish a continuing rivalry between LH and MV, to try and ensure these get read.
JUST GIVE IT UP!
They are just two of the 22 men battling out there every race in an effort to win.
If the author couldn’t find anything else in the race that stood out – maybe just blame the ridiculous changes brought in this year