Verstappen explains 360º spin during "crazy" Hungary F1 race

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen says having to nurse the clutch on his Red Bull was behind his 360-degree spin during a "crazy" Hungarian Grand Prix, which he won from 10th on the grid.

Verstappen explains 360º spin during "crazy" Hungary F1 race

After an engine problem prevented Verstappen from setting a fast lap in qualifying, the Dutchman was set for a tough recovery race in Budapest.

But 2022's generation of cars showed they can even race on the twisty Hungaroring, and after a strong start, Verstappen continued to climb up the order to get ahead of the four Ferrari and Mercedes cars.

Just after he passed Charles Leclerc for the net lead on lap 42, Verstappen spun coming out of Turn 13, but with a clean 360-degree rotation he managed to continue without a significant time loss.

The error cost him the place to Leclerc, only for him to re-pass the Monegasque driver soon after on his way to a stunning win.

Verstappen explained he had to nurse the clutch to prevent it from burning out, which he explained caught him out on lap 42.

"I was struggling a bit with the shifts and the clutch," Verstappen said. "We had to change a few things around to basically not burn the clutch, and that cost a bit of performance.

"I think that caught me out [coming] out of that corner, but luckily I could do a 360 so I lost one spot."

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB18

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB18

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Verstappen, who said he was hoping to get near the podium at all from 10th on the grid, praised his team for getting all its strategy calls right as an intermittent drizzle made for tricky circumstances.

"I was of course hoping that I could get close to a podium, but very tricky conditions out there," he added.

"But I think we had a really good strategy. We were really reactive and always pitting at the right time. I think we had some good out-laps.

"It was a crazy race. And of course, very happy that we won it. I was battling a lot of guys, so it was a lot of fun out there."

Verstappen's world championship lead has now swelled to 80 points over Leclerc heading into the summer break, as his main title rival could only manage sixth despite starting from third.

shares
comments

Hamilton "would have been in the run for win" at Hungarian GP without qualifying issue

Leclerc baffled by Hungarian GP "turning point" of early stop for hards

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jonathan Noble

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1? What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Australian GP
GP Racing

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Australian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023 The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

The state of play in F1's technical silly season

The state of play in F1's technical silly season

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jake Boxall-Legge

The state of play in F1's technical silly season The state of play in F1's technical silly season

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Kevin Turner

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries