WATCH: Lewis Hamilton claims he wanted to ‘break the ice’ by greeting Max Verstappen after Hungarian GP clash

Lewis Hamilton fended off Max Verstappen to claim his 200th podium in F1.

WATCH: Lewis Hamilton claims he wanted to ‘break the ice’ by greeting Max Verstappen after Hungarian GP clash

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen(images via IMAGO and screenshot via @fiagirly)

The Hungarian GP weekend was full of rollercoasters, as McLaren became the third team to have scored a 1-2 this season. On the other end, the battle for the last remaining spot on the podium was a furious one. However, this battle ended with Max Verstappen clipping Lewis Hamilton heading into turn one, and launching himself airborne.

The battle for P3 came down to strategy as Mercedes took the gamble of doing an undercut. This strategy paid dividends as Max Verstappen emerged behind Lewis Hamilton, which ensued an intense battle for the podium. However, the Dutchman came in hot and collided with Hamilton. Subsequently, this incident was deemed to create rifts between the two world champions and reignite their rivalry, but the former world champion later met with the Dutchman and patted him, ending the stalemate.

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The 39-year-old then later explained why he met with Verstappen soon after their heated battle.

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Nothing really [was said]. I just broke the ice, rather than walk past him. I thought it was the respectful thing. I have no problems. I think it was a racing incident, he sent it down the inside it didn't work out and we move on.
Lewis Hamilton said in the post-race interview

Hamilton elaborated that he did not let the issue get any bigger. He took matters into his own hands and met his former championship rival with respect. The Brit then claimed the clash to be a racing incident, which was later reiterated by the FIA as they deemed the incident to be a fair one.

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Lewis Hamilton claimed to be ‘grateful for these days’ after securing P3 at the Hungarian GP

While Hamilton has stood on the podium 200 times, the Brit had a drought in the previous few seasons. Moreover, the Englishman at the start of the 2022 season, was barely scoring any points. Thus, a turnaround in fortune means a lot to him.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO)

Subsequently, after claiming another podium around Hungary, he admitted that he was grateful for such days.

It was a tough last two stints, with the strategy that we had, with the two hards. But very very happy otherwise. You have to be so grateful for these days, there was a time where we were finishing 9th so to have the pace to be where we are is really really great.
Lewis Hamilton said in the post-race interview

Hamilton explained that while the last two stints on the hard was not easy for him, he pushed through and claimed another podium. He then reiterated when he was merely scoring one or two points and claimed to be grateful for his return to the sharp end of the grid.

Despite the Brit being on a charge and claiming podiums almost every weekend, his compatriot Lando Norris has appeared as the nearest challenger to the reigning champion. Thus, the battle for the championship is not over yet and would continue in the next race in Belgium.

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