FIA have apologised to one F1 driver ‘a hundred times’ before Belgian Grand Prix

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The headline investigation for the FIA stewards at the Hungarian GP was the late collision involving Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen attempted a brave move at turn one, and the two drivers made contact.

The Dutchman had been unable to overcome the stout defence of Hamilton throughout the race. Red Bull had allowed the seven-time world champion to gain track position with later pit stops, but that gave Verstappen a tyre advantage.

While he was able to catch up quickly, he couldn’t execute a clean overtake. Both drivers had DRS as they lapped Alex Albon, and Verstappen sensed an opportunity to dive down the inside.

However, he locked up in doing so, and his rear-left tyre launched over Hamilton’s front-right. By the time he found his way back onto the track, he’d fallen to fifth behind Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen complained about perceived moving under braking on the team radio, but his engineer expressed little interest in a ‘childish’ radio dispute with other teams. The stewards examined the incident to determine whether either driver should be penalised for causing a collision.

In the end, they decided it was a racing incident, an outcome both will likely accept. But a different driver was left fuming with F1’s governing body.

Fernando Alonso has received countless apologies for Parc Ferme mishap

In another of the weekend’s controversial moments, the FIA told Fernando Alonso to pull in behind the ‘APX GP’ car that’s being used for Brad Pitt’s upcoming ‘F1’ movie. But there was still time remaining in Q3.

Yuki Tsunoda had brought out the red flags when he crashed his RB late on. However, this didn’t necessarily prevent the teams from completing another run when the car was recovered.

There was just about enough time to get one more timed lap in before the chequered flag fell. Daniel Ricciardo was the only driver who improved in the late dash.

But Aston Martin star Alonso was denied the chance to do so after the FIA made the momentary mistake of opening Parc Ferme. They’ve admitted the error of their ways and apologised repeatedly.

“I know it was a mistake,” he told es.motorsport. “I’ve been apologised to a hundred times. When I was in Parc Ferme, they said ‘go back to the car and I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry’. So it wasn’t on purpose or anything like that.”

Martin Brundle says the FIA’s Belgian GP investigation could shake up F1 field

Alonso, who will reach 400 Grands Prix before the season is out, is the most senior driver on the grid. He seems willing to draw a line under the events of Budapest.

For the FIA, the predominant focus this weekend will be an investigation into flexible front wings. They’re installing cameras for the opening practice session to see if teams are in breach of the rules.

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Martin Brundle says it could ‘scramble the pack’ if they order changes over the summer break. If the wings are moving, some are bound to be benefitting more than others.

F1 is introducing active aerodynamics for the 2026 season, a move that will see the front and rear wings open up on straights and close in corners. As it stands, though, any flexibility is outlawed under the regulations.