Lewis Hamilton was left surprised by the stewards' interpretation of his clash with Max Verstappen at the Hungarian Grand Prix last week. (More Motorsport News)
Hamilton, who finished in third at the Hungaroring to claim a 200th p꧃odium finish, was involved in an incident with the reigning world champion on lap 63 in Budapest.
The pair made contact heading into Tur🅷n One, with the Dutchman attempting to go up the inside but in doing so locked up his front tyres, briefly sending him into the air.
Although neither driver was penalised for the incident, the stewards suggested that the seven-time world champion c𒀰ould have done more 𒉰to avoid the collision.
"I was really, really surprised by it," said 🍒the Mercedes driver of the fuജll stewards' judgement, which was issued several hours after the end of the race.
"I think already I was very relaxed about the situation and just saying 'look, it's just a racinꦚg i🅷ncident, let's just move on'.
"But considering one car was in control and one car was not in co🔥ntrol at the time 💝- obviously when all the wheels are locked, you're not in control - and if you look at the replay at the end of the move I'm very, very far from the apex, so there's a lot of room on the right-hand side.
"So I was very, very surp♚rised by the stewards. I don't know who typed it up but… that will be a question when I speak to them at some stage."
Verstappen, who has the opportunity to become the third driver to win four times in a row at Spa this weekend, endured a diffi❀cult race last time out.
The Dutchman finished in fifth in Budapest and is without a win in his last four races, the last time he failed to win four꧒ඣ meetings was back in 2020.
His frustrations at the&n🍰bsp;Hungaroring boiled over, repeatedly expressing his frustration and anger at his team's strategy and his car's performance over the radio.
"You have to be a team leader, a team🅰 m🅺ember," said Hamilton.
"Maybe not such a team leader, just always remember you are a team-mate with🌌 lot🍎s of people and you have to act like a world champion."
When𝓰 asked to elabo꧑rate on that latter point, Hamilton replied: "That is a good question… Not like it was last weekend."
Hamilton, who has won the ꦅBelgium Gr𒁏and Prix four times in his career, arrives at Spa full of confidence following his recent displays.
Having endured a difficult s🐠tart to the season, but three podium places in his last four races, including ending his 945-day wait for a win following a record ninth triumph at Silverstone, has seen the Brit back to his best.
Mercedes❀ remain fourth in the Constructor's Championship, but have closed the gap to Ferrari to 81 points, with upgrades expected on their car this weekend, including a new front wing, floor and beam wing, something that has excited Hamilton꧙.
"I still feel so much yo🐈uth, am energised, driven and love working with the team.
"We have got some upgrades this weekend, so I can't wait to see how that feels on the track. Hopefull♚y it's another step in the right direction and I'm excited for the next part of꧃ the season."
