Lewis Hamilton secured pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix followed but his teammate, Valtteri Bottas, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The Mercedes duo looked quick all weekend and with Max starting not he Soft compounds instead of the Medium’s like both Mercs, the strategy could be interesting.

The final hot lap in Q3 was met with Sky commentary pointing out the gamesmanship that Lewis was using by going very slowly in the pitman with Max behind him. The pit exit was similar and Lewis took his time making it around the track. In the end, Verstappen narrowly made it over the line with just seconds left but his teammate, Sergio Perez, missed out on a final attempt as the clock ran out.

Sky Sports had Nico Rosberg in color commentary position and he was certain Lewis was playing mind games with Max and after qualifying, Lewis was met with jeers and boos from the crowd. Lewis answered the accusation by saying:

“I mean, it’s so silly man.

“Everyone was going slow – did you not watch everybody else? I don’t understand. Do you think I could’ve gone quicker and then been just closer to Valtteri?

“I mean, everyone was doing a slow out-lap. It was no different, really, to any other lap.

“Of course, each time we’re going out we’re trying to prepare the tyres and keep them cooler because they get so hot throughout the lap.

“I wasn’t playing any tactics. I don’t need to play no tactics, man. I know what I’m doing in the car and it’s fast enough, we don’t need to add tactics.

“So, those that are making the comments really don’t clearly know anything about the job that we’re doing here, which is probably why they’re not driving here.”

As for the lingering issue of the clash between Hamilton and Verstappen at the British GP, the question was put to them again and Max had enough scolding the media for continuing the narrative and questions.

Hungarian GP Qualifying: