Hamilton and Verstappen are the best racing drivers in the world at the moment. Both have the race craft and skills to win races in any conditions and under different scenarios. But make no mistake about it: Hamilton is king, Verstappen is challenger.
Max and Lewis in Budapest (photo, Motorsport)
The build-up to the 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix was dominated by people questioning who was better in Formula 1– Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton.
Following Verstappen’s victories in Austria and Germany, many pundits and fans were saying they thought Verstappen was now the best driver on the grid. With a consistent race-winning car under him, he could be about to take away Hamilton’s championship crown. These thoughts only intensified after Verstappen secured his first career pole for race in Hungary.
And the race did not disappoint! The first 70 laps were performed brilliantly with close racing between the two drivers in what became yet another fantastic Grand Prix. The track helped, too. After rain caused chaos (but also great entertainment) in Germany the previous week, the circuit in Budapest offered a more traditional racing classic with plenty of excitement to keep fans enthralled for the entire race.
There were plenty of close racing battles throughout the field, too. Both Torro Rosso cars battled for position through numerous corners. Danny Ricciardo and Kevin Magnusson scrapped for position over multiple laps. Valtteri Bottas faced difficulties as he fought his way back after an early pit stop for front-wing damage. Lando Norris performed numerous overtaking maneuvers with a skill and maturity beyond his racing years. There was also the brilliant and brave overtaking move made by Sebastian Vettel. The German overtook Ferrari teammate Charles Le Clerc for third place just three laps from the end.
Throughout the race, the overtaking and other maneuvers were performed with plenty of respect between the drivers involved. They also required a significant amount of skill, desire, and racing fight–all within the acceptable racing limits and rules.
But the fight for victory was between the two stars. It started when Hamilton passed teammate Bottas around the outside or turns 2 and 3 on the opening lap and, then, set his sights on trying to take the lead from pole-sitter Verstappen. It didn’t happen quickly. Despite consistently running within 2 seconds of the Dutchman, Hamilton couldn’t get close enough to pass Verstappen before the first round of pit stops.
Hamilton pitted for fresh tires six laps later than Verstappen and, then, quickly closed a 6-second gap as he attacked Verstappen for the lead. But Hamilton ran out of room on the outside of turn 4, backed out of the move and, then, backed off slightly to cool his brakes and car temperature.
The defining moment of the race came 20 laps from the end. Mercedes pitted Hamilton for new medium tires. A bold move, it put Hamilton 20 seconds behind Verstappen with 20 laps to make up the lost time. Hamilton even questioned the decision. But it worked. Hamilton performed at a devastating qualifying-style pace, lap after lap, to get close up to Verstappen and, then, took the lead going into turn 1 on lap 67 of this 70-lap race.
What did we learn from the Hungarian Grand Prix?
It’s this: Hamilton and Verstappen are clearly two of the best racing drivers in the world at the moment. Both have the race craft and skills to win races in any conditions and under different scenarios.
Formula 1 fans now have hope–hope that both drivers will have equally competitive cars in the years ahead and that they’ll see plenty more race battles like the one they just witnessed in Budapest.
But let’s not forget this: for now, Lewis Hamilton is King of Formula One and he won’t give up that crown without a fight. I believe Verstappen is the man who is most likely to be Hamilton’s #1 competitor. He also has the potential of being a repeat world champion.
‘Max’s Moment’ will have to wait, though. In Formula 1, it’s still ‘Hammer-Time.’
