F1 enters the summer break with rumours rife

Max Verstappen drew a line under the first-half of the season with a strong second place finish in Hungary but the rumours surrounding his future at Red Bull Racing continue.

With talk of the Dutchman leaving Milton Keynes for pastures new, having been linked with both Mercedes and McLaren over the last few weeks.

Verstappen was critical of his car’s performance at the Hungaroring, upset with how the care braked and downshifted through the gears, but his race to second place was an excellent one.

Starting fourth, he was third in the opening running, keeping long-term rival Lewis Hamilton at bay. But the undercut was strong in Budapest, and while Verstappen ran long, those round him came in and he tumbled down the order to fifth.

That became fourth when Oscar Piastri retired, and second when both Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton pitted under the virtual safety car, a position Verstappen was able to hold until the end without troubling victor Lando Norris.

“We were trying to make the best of what we had,” he said. “It was quite tough for a long period of the race, but everyone contributed to securing this podium.

“We need to be a bit more solid all-round in the second half of the season. Despite this, I think we performed well today and made all the right calls.

“The team are all looking forward to a break so we can come back rested and refreshed for the second half of the season.”

And his future will remain the talk of the summer break. While he has a contract with the Tilbrook team until 2028, it is understood there are performance clauses included which could mean he is able to sign elsewhere. However, his potential suitors seemingly have their line-ups for next season and beyond secured.

Team-mate Isack Hadjar meanwhile had a relatively lonely race en route to sixth place. Running long on his first stint, the Frenchman was undercut by much of the leading pack, seeing him drop down the order. While he played a useful blocker for Verstappen to hold up Hamilton after the first round of pitstops, he brought the car home for eight points.

He said: “It was a bit of a lonely and tough race. I enjoyed a decent start, which we've definitely tidied up over the last two races, but after the first few laps the guys ahead just pulled away.

“We definitely maximised what was available this afternoon; another P6 is a decent return on what was a challenging weekend.

“We can be proud of this run we’re on heading into the summer break, seven top-six finishes in a row is a solid reflection of the work we’ve put in to get here.”