Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have set themselves apart from the grid this season. With just eight points separating them in the drivers’ championship, their intense rivalry is the focal point of the 2021 F1 season.

Their rivalry took on a new level of intensity after the British Grand Prix. Although they started alongside each other last Sunday, Verstappen crashed out of the race while battling Hamilton. The Briton’s celebration after the race drew its fair share of critics, one of whom was the Dutchman himself.

Many F1 pundits predicted more such collisions between the two, and former champion Jenson Button even said that Verstappen and Hamilton need to talk things out before their rivalry becomes ugly.

Well, it looks like they felt the same way, as Dutch journalist Jack Plooij, ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, revealed that the two title contenders had a conversation after the incident.

Dutch journalist reveals Lewis Hamilton called Max Verstappen before the Hungarian Grand Prix

As Verstappen publicly criticized Hamilton for the way he celebrated his victory, fans had diverse opinions on the events that unfolded last weekend. Ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, however, it seems both drivers are on talking terms again.

Appearing on the F1 Nation podcast, Ziggo Sport journalist Jack Plooij revealed they engaged in a telephonic conversation recently. He said, “Yeah, as far as I’ve heard, he phoned him.”

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In addition to that, he also revealed how the Briton’s celebrations after the race caused a chain reaction. “The hardest issue of that Sunday was Lewis was celebrating and Max was in the hospital,” said Plooij. “That hurt the Verstappens too much.

“And Lewis wasn’t far from me. I said to him, ‘Max is in the hospital’. And then he looked to his left, where Rosa was standing. ‘The hospital?’

“I had a little bit of a sense that maybe Lewis wasn’t exactly informed how the situation at that moment was. I don’t know for sure, but that makes a little bit of sense.”

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Plooij: Expect a more motivated Verstappen this weekend

When asked what can fans expect from Verstappen this weekend, Plooij admitted a more motivated Verstappen will be seen at Hungary. However, he limited the Dutchman’s motivation to the track while leaving out all the other elements.

He said, “Only on track. A really motivated Max to beat Lewis on track and that’s it. Not verbally or whatever.”

Although Hamilton won the last three races at Hungaroring, Verstappen will be determined to bounce back this weekend. Will the 23-year-old remain ahead of the Briton after August 1? Or can the defending world champion cause more problems for Verstappen and Red Bull at the Hungaroring?

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