Max Verstappen made a joke at Lewis Hamilton’s expense after his comfortable victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hamilton stunned the reigning Formula 1 world champion after he ripped pole position away from the Dutchman’s grasp by just three-thousandths of a second.
However, the Red Bull star managed to take the lead going into the first corner and raced away to a more than comfortable victory at the Hungaroring, seeing the chequered flag more than half a minute before the others.
The victory in Budapest was Verstappen’s seventh win in a row and the 44th of his career.
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After the race, Verstappen joked it would be terrible to be stuck on 44, which is the same figure as Hamilton’s car number.
He said: “Hopefully I don't stay on 44 for too long. That would be terrible I need to get to 45 quickly.”
Red Bull have now won all of the races so far in the 2023 season and have set a new record after winning 12 races in a row.
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Verstappen said: “Twelve wins in a row is just incredible.
“What we've been doing for the last two years has been unbelievable. Hopefully we can keep this momentum going for a long time. We always want to do better but days like this are just perfect.”
Whilst Red Bull team principal and CEO Christian Horner added: “As a young kid I remember watching Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna under the incredible leadership of Ron Dennis achieve that feat (11 wins in a row) and to think we have bettered that is something all the team in Budapest and back in Milton Keynes have worked so hard for and means so much.
“Max is a driver totally at one with himself in the car and with total confidence and trust in the team. We are witnessing a sportsman at the top of his game and he is a joy to work with.”
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He continued: “Max is a modest guy and he is uncomfortable with the plaudits he is given, but he deserves all the credit he is getting at the moment.”
F1 will return this weekend with the Belgian Grand Prix, which will take place at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps.
Topics: Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1, Red Bull Racing
Marcus Chan