Max Verstappen Sparks Controversy After Incident with Lewis Hamilton During Australian Grand Prix Qualifying
Max Verstappen has found himself at the center of controversy after Formula One fans noticed a potentially contentious moment involving him and Lewis Hamilton during the 2025 Australian Grand Prix qualifying session. The incident has led to heated discussions on social media, with some accusing the reigning world champion of deliberately hindering Hamilton’s lap time.
McLaren Dominates as 2025 F1 Season Kicks Off
In the early hours of Saturday morning, Formula One fans were treated to the first qualifying session of the new season. While much of the anticipation was focused on Hamilton’s debut with Ferrari following his departure from Mercedes, it was McLaren that stole the show in Melbourne.
The British team put in a dominant performance, locking out the front row with a commanding 1-2 finish. Lando Norris secured pole position, clocking a lap over half a second faster than the nearest competitor, while his teammate, home hero Oscar Piastri, slotted in second place.
Meanwhile, Verstappen, the three-time defending champion, could only manage third on the grid behind the two McLaren drivers. However, his performance wasn’t the main talking point after the session—the moment he shared with Hamilton on track quickly took center stage.
Verstappen’s Actions Under Scrutiny
As Hamilton attempted to complete his final flying lap in Q3, he found himself closely following Verstappen on track. Some fans believe that the Red Bull driver deliberately obstructed the Ferrari star, preventing him from setting a competitive lap time.
Footage from the session shows Verstappen appearing to let Hamilton through at one point, only to then move back onto the racing line shortly afterward. This sequence of events led to a wave of accusations on social media, with many suggesting that Verstappen intentionally compromised Hamilton’s lap.
One furious fan took to social media, writing: “Verstappen is a f*****g idiot. Did you guys just see what he did there? Look what he does from turn 5-6. He goes right to let him past but then turns left again all of a sudden. Clearly on purpose. What a filthy rat man. I hate this guy with a passion.”
Another user agreed, adding: “This guy always goes out of his way to f** Lewis over.”*
A third wrote: “Straight-up scumbag move. He knew exactly what he was doing. That wasn’t racing, that was straight-up dirty play.”
Debate Rages On
While many fans were quick to criticize Verstappen, others defended the Dutch driver, arguing that his actions were within the bounds of fair racing. Some pointed out that Hamilton’s lap time may not have been affected by Verstappen at all and that the Ferrari driver simply wasn’t quick enough.
One user countered the accusations by stating: “Lewis braked at the braking marker lol. Do you want Max to stop so he can pass? There was no room for both to move around the corner. Max took the driving line and turned when he should have. You’re just another Max hater.”
Another added: “What was the problem here? Max took the racing line and when it was safe to let him pass, he did. LH was never gonna go round him on the outside of the right turn.”
What’s Next?
While Verstappen remains a polarizing figure in Formula One, the incident has only intensified the rivalry between him and Hamilton. The pair have had multiple high-profile clashes over the years, with their on-track battles often sparking debates among fans.
With Hamilton starting from eighth and Verstappen in third, all eyes will be on how the two drivers handle their next encounter during the race. Will Hamilton be able to fight back and prove his doubters wrong, or will Verstappen extend his dominance on the track? One thing is certain—the drama of the 2025 F1 season has only just begun.
Max Verstappen called out by F1 fans as unseen footage of Lewis Hamilton incident emerges
