Formula One enthusiasts were left astonished by Red Bull’s social media activity following Max Verstappen’s contentious on-track exchange with Lewis Hamilton at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The post ignited a storm of reactions, with many criticizing the team’s tone given the severity of the incident.
The drama unfolded at the Hungaroring as the grid lined up for the final race before the summer hiatus. Charles Leclerc, fresh off a scintillating qualifying lap, secured pole position for Ferrari, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris occupied the next two slots. Meanwhile, Hamilton endured a dismal Saturday, bowing out in Q2 and starting from 12th on the grid—a setback that foreshadowed a challenging Sunday.
By lap 29 of the 70-lap contest, Verstappen, who had commenced from eighth, found himself embroiled in a fierce skirmish with Hamilton for 11th place after an early stop. The Dutchman launched an audacious move at Turn 4, diving up the inside to seize the position. Though the two cars avoided physical contact, Hamilton was forced into the run-off area to avert a collision, hemorrhaging precious time in the process.
Race control swiftly confirmed that the maneuver would be scrutinized post-race, raising the possibility of a penalty for Verstappen. Yet, before the stewards rendered judgment, Red Bull inflamed tensions by posting a provocative message on X: “Lap 30: Max scares Lewis off the road at Turn 4 and is up to P11!” While some followers hailed the quip as “tweet of the year,” a significant contingent lambasted the team for trivializing an incident that could have culminated in disaster.
Fan responses underscored the polarized nature of the debate. One incredulous user questioned, “That makes you proud? No way.” Another countered sarcastically, asking, “Scared, or just avoiding being hit?” With the FIA’s investigation looming and public discourse raging online, the incident has reignited the simmering rivalry narrative between Hamilton and Verstappen—a storyline that refuses to fade as the championship battle intensifies.
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