WATCH: Max Verstappen's cheeky 360-degree spin at Hungarian Grand Prix 2022

In the annals of Formula 1 history, some moments define the brilliance of a driver and the strategic genius of their team. One such moment occurred at the 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen showcased his exceptional driving skills and Red Bull's impeccable strategy to secure a stunning victory despite a dramatic 360-degree spin.

Starting from a challenging P10, Verstappen's path to victory was far from straightforward. The race began with Mercedes' George Russell, who had clinched pole position, leading the pack on soft tyres. Russell's early pit stop on Lap 15 set the stage for a strategic battle.

Verstappen, also on softs, pitted from P5 a lap later, forcing Ferrari's Carlos Sainz to relinquish the lead and pit as well. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc, extending his first stint, took the lead but eventually pitted on Lap 22.

A poor tyre choice hurt George Russell!

Russell regained the lead but was soon overtaken by Sainz on Lap 31. Verstappen, now in P4, made a decisive second stop for medium tyres on Lap 39, executing a perfect undercut on Carlos Sainz. This move also gave him a crucial advantage over Leclerc, who had started on mediums and switched to hards after a long first stint. 

Here is the video:

Just a cheeky lil' spin to make sure the chasing pack are still there 😜@Max33Verstappen didn't let this small blip unnerve him en route to victory in Hungary two years ago 😵‍💫#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/0PXUoFJIhP

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 19, 2024

The hard tyres proved to be a poor choice for Leclerc, who fell to P6 after switching to softs again, while Verstappen surged ahead. Despite the Dutchman's commanding performance, the race was far from over. On the final corner, Verstappen experienced a heart-stopping 360-degree spin.

This mishap could have been catastrophic, yet Verstappen's composure and skill allowed him to recover swiftly and overtake Charles Leclerc once more. This incredible display of car control and mental fortitude under pressure only added to the drama and excitement of the race.

Lewis Hamilton, starting from P7 on medium tyres, had his impressive drive. He cleared the Alpines and made strategic pit stops that allowed him to finish the race on soft tyres. This enabled him to pass Sainz and Russell, securing a well-earned second place.