Verstappen to critics: 'They can all f**k off'

Max Verstappen's Hungarian Grand Prix ended in a storm of controversy, with the reigning Formula 1 world champion lashing out at critics and expressing deep dissatisfaction with Red Bull's race strategy.

The Dutch driver's eventful race, which saw him finish fifth after a collision with Lewis Hamilton, has reignited debates about his aggressive driving style and his relationship with his team.

Verstappen's race unravels

From the outset, Verstappen found himself on the back foot, continually venting his frustration at Red Bull's strategy calls over team radio.

The team's decisions left him vulnerable to undercutting moves, first losing a place to Hamilton during the initial pit stop phase, then to Charles Leclerc in the second round of stops.

"We didn't have the pace to fight McLaren today, but I think we could have still had a P3,"

Verstappen reflected post-race.

"The wrong strategy calls put me on the backfoot where I constantly had to fight people, trying to overtake, and it didn't work today."

The Hungaroring's notoriously hot conditions exacerbated the situation, with Verstappen explaining,

"The track is really hot and as soon as you get close to cars the tyres overheat and basically all of the advantage that you have with the tyres is not working anymore."

Collision controversy

As the race entered its final stages, Verstappen found himself battling for the final podium position.

Having overtaken Leclerc, he engaged in a fierce duel with Hamilton at Turn 1 with just eight laps remaining.

The ensuing contact saw Verstappen drop to fifth at the checkered flag.

The incident, which is under investigation by the FIA stewards, has drawn criticism from some quarters.

Verstappen, however, was quick to defend his actions, drawing parallels with recent scrutiny of his driving style.

"I got a lot of shit thrown at me in Austria with people saying moving under braking, blah blah blah,"

he stated.

"I am positioning my car on the initial movement and then I keep it straight. Today, under braking he just kept turning to the right and that is why I also locked up because I was going for the move, but I saw the car on the outside kept coming at me."

Verstappen fires back

When pressed for a response to critics who suggested he had gone too far in the race and disrespected his Red Bull squad over team radio, Verstappen's reply was blunt and unequivocal: "They can all fuck off."

This outburst highlights the tension surrounding the world champion, who finds himself under increasing pressure as the season progresses.

The incident with Hamilton, coming on the heels of his clash with Lando Norris at the Austrian Grand Prix last month, has only added fuel to the fire.