Joel Embiid didn’t just casually watch the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix; he was absolutely locked in, and after a mind-blowing move by Max Verstappen, the NBA superstar officially declared the Red Bull driver the GOAT. This wasn’t just any race for Embiid, who’s still buzzing after his Philadelphia 76ers landed LeBron James and are already considered favorites for the 2027 NBA Championship. But even with the basketball offseason still two months away, Verstappen put on a show that demanded attention.
Verstappen’s Audacious Double Overtake That Blew Embiid’s Mind
You gotta see this move. On lap 16 of the Hungarian GP, Verstappen pulled off a ridiculous double overtake, not just on his teammate Isack Hadjar, but also on Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. Embiid’s reaction says it all: **”WOW VERSTAPPEN IS ACTUALLY THE GOAT!! WHAT A DIVEBOMB LMAO”** Hamilton had just pitted the lap before, riding on fresh but cold hard tires. He’d also burnt a ton of energy trying to get past Hadjar on that straight. Meanwhile, Verstappen had warmed-up tires and way better grip, turning Hamilton into a sitting duck despite the fresh rubber. Even with those tire circumstances, that takes some serious, world-class racing skill to pull off.
A Rivalry Defined: Verstappen’s Skill vs. Hamilton’s Title Hunt
This wasn’t just any pass; it was on Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion and Verstappen’s career rival. Verstappen, a four-time World Champion himself, proved exactly why with that move. He ended the race in P3, just behind McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, while Hamilton finished P5 after a five-second penalty dropped him from P4 to behind teammate Charles Leclerc. The championship picture shows Verstappen in P7 with 91 points, still a fair bit behind Hamilton in P2 with 159 points. But if Verstappen keeps pulling off moves like that, the standings could change quick.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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