Hamilton and Verstappen's Austrian GP battle: What happened
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen went wheel-to-wheel for second place at the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix, with Hamilton holding the line at Turn 6 on lap 11 and Verstappen later passing on lap 22. The hamilton verstappen austrian battle revived their old rivalry and became must-watch TV. Formula 1 released onboard footage of the pair racing millimetres apart at the Red Bull Ring, while ESPN and F1 TV analysts framed why the duel mattered beyond the result.
Key Takeaways
- Hamilton and Verstappen battled side-by-side for P2 on lap 11, with Hamilton staying ahead after Verstappen ran wide at Turn 6.
- Verstappen demanded a penalty over team radio; Hamilton dismissed the claim and said Verstappen should have backed out.
- Verstappen finally passed Hamilton on lap 22 and finished second; Hamilton dropped to fifth.
- Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya said Hamilton "doesn't forget" their past title fights when defending against Verstappen.
- Full wheel-to-wheel footage is available on Formula1.com and F1 TV.
What Happened in the Hamilton-Verstappen Austrian Battle?
The defining moment came on lap 11 as the former title rivals fought for second place. According to ESPN, Verstappen first tried to pass Hamilton at Turn 3, only to lose the position again on the run to Turn 4.
Verstappen locked up into Turn 4 but still found a better exit and attempted to pass around the outside of Turn 6. With the Red Bull on the outside, Hamilton claimed the apex and edged Verstappen toward the gravel as they remained wheel-to-wheel on the exit.
Formula 1's official highlight shows the pair millimetres apart through the sweeps, with Hamilton winning that exchange. Verstappen stayed behind for the first 22 laps before finally getting past at Turn 6 on lap 22.
Why Did Verstappen Call for a Penalty?
Verstappen was convinced Hamilton had forced him off track. "That's a penalty," he told Red Bull over team radio. "Clear penalty."
Hamilton dismissed the complaint after the race. "Well, he went off on the outside," he said. "You don't expect to go around the outside of a champion."
He added that he would not try the same move on Verstappen at a high-speed corner like Turn 6. "He was behind at the apex and therefore he should have backed out, but he didn't. I left just enough room for him."
What Did Juan Pablo Montoya Say About Their History?
Speaking on F1 TV's post-race broadcast, former driver Juan Pablo Montoya argued the intensity reflected unfinished business from their 2021 title fight. "I think sometimes people forget what happened between Max and Lewis before, and Lewis doesn't forget," Montoya said, as reported by MSN.
"When you're a driver, and they run you over before, you don't forget, and if you can give it to them, you will all the way. And that's what we saw today. It was unbelievable. I was giggling watching that."
Their championship rivalry peaked in 2021 with collisions at Silverstone, Monza and Jeddah before Verstappen claimed his first title in Abu Dhabi.
Where Can You Watch the Wheel-to-Wheel Footage?
If you missed the live broadcast, the clearest replay is Formula 1's dedicated highlight titled "Hamilton and Verstappen go wheel-to-wheel," posted after the race on June 28, 2026. The clip focuses on the lap 11 fight for P2 at Spielberg.
F1 TV subscribers can stream the full onboard angle and related Austrian GP coverage, including Jolyon Palmer's analysis of the world champions' battle. For more race-week viewing alerts and streaming guides, bookmark our Streaming & TV Alerts section.
ESPN also noted that Verstappen's Red Bull benefited from significant performance upgrades in Austria, finishing second while Hamilton slipped to fifth after their prolonged duel.