MUST-SEE: Verstappen and Hamilton almost come to blows while battling hard in Hungarian GP

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton came close to colliding during the Hungarian Grand Prix as the World Champions battled to better their disappointing grid positions.

On Lap 29 of Sunday’s race, Verstappen got a run on Hamilton at the exit of Turn 3 and attempted a bold move down the inside of the high-speed Turn 4, where the Ferrari driver left the track and took to the run-off area.

Verstappen moved up to 11th in the process and, while the stewards noted and then investigated the incident post-race, they ultimately opted against penalising the Red Bull man, who went on to finish ninth.

“The driver of Car 1 (Verstappen) stated during the hearing that he had gained some momentum on Car 44 (Hamilton) out of Turn 3 with fresher tyres and used this momentum to make a move on the inside into Turn 4,” began the stewards’ decision document.

“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.

“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.”

Watch the moment Verstappen and Hamilton – the latter crossing the line 12th – went wheel-to-wheel in the video player at the top of the page.