Verstappen explains crucial move in short-lived Hamilton battle

Max Verstappen has explained how he "did his thing" to dispatch of Lewis Hamilton at the beginning of the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix.

Hamilton was out-muscled from pole position by Verstappen at Turn 1, falling to fourth behind the McLaren pair of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

After passing his 2021 title rival, Verstappen was able to cruise to a ninth win of the current season, seventh in a row and a record-breaking 12th consecutive victory for Red Bull.

Detailing his short-lived battle with Hamilton, Verstappen told media including RacingNews365: "As soon as I released the clutch, immediately I felt like I had good bite, no wheelspin like in Silverstone.

"I had a good run, then I knew I had the inside and that was going to be my corner in Turn 1," he added.

"We braked quite late but then yeah, did my thing through Turn 2 as well, and from then onwards, I could just build up the pace slowly.

"They are very rare, days like this.

"I think last year, Spa, for example, was probably pretty similar – but then of course I had to start from the back, so yeah, it is very rare. Normally, it’s not that easy or straightforward."

Verstappen also took his 44th career F1 victory, drawing him level with Hamilton's race number of #44.

"Hopefully, I don’t stay on 44. That would be terrible. I need to get 45 quickly," joked Verstappen.