At the 2024 Hungarian Prix, McLaren secured a team-mandated 1-2 finish, underscoring that Red Bull’s period of ultra-dominance had come to an end. However, another controversy arose involving Max Verstappen and former rival Lewis Hamilton. In the closing stages of the race, Max was battling Lewis Hamilton for the final podium position. Hamilton put up a strong but fair defence, refusing to yield to the faster Red Bull. On lap 00, Max attempted a late-braking manoeuvre as they approached Turn 1.

Max braked extremely late on the inside, dirty part of the track, where grip was limited. As a result, the Red Bull hurtled into the corner, with all four brakes locking up. Tires screeched, and smoke billowed as Max skidded uncontrollably, heading straight toward the runoff area.

At the last moment, Hamilton made a slight turn as Max flew past him. Hamilton’s right front tire tapped Max’s left rear, causing the rear of the RB20 to flip up into the air and buck wildly like an enraged horse. Both drivers resumed the race unscathed, with Max losing a position and finishing in fifth, while Hamilton secured third. This incident highlighted Max’s characteristic boldness and unabashed style, but in this incident, it was more reminiscent of Jos Verstappen than that of a three-time world champion.

Max Verstappen, More ‘Padawn’ Skywalker Than Jedi Knight

I can’t help but wonder how Michael Schumacher, at his peak, would have approached a similar situation. Schumacher would have devised a plan, perhaps clearing the marbles off the inside of Turn 1 over a few laps to ensure he had the traction and space needed for a hard-braking manoeuvre. Max’s approach seemed more like Padawan Anakin Skywalker taking on Count Dooku for the first time—or more akin to a sim racing lunge than the mindset of a three-time world champion.

In the world of sim racing, there are no real-world consequences; you don’t experience the effects of real-world gravity or collisions, though you might feel some artificial force feedback. While I have been critical of Max’s racing style, my opinion has shifted. Max will always be Max—his style is intrinsic to who he is and should not change.

In time, he will evolve. However I admire his cavalier, no-nonsense approach to racing, while occasionally controversial, he provides priceless entertainment. Despite holding a significant championship lead, and with the Red Bull period of ultra-dominance behind him, Max now faces a more formidable challenge for the remainder of the season: managing his own mindset to prevent his championship lead from eroding further or faster.