Max Verstappen went ballistic at two of his Formula 1 rivals during the Hungarian Grand Prix in a savage radio message which wasn’t broadcast on live TV.

The Dutchman had a frustrating start to the 2026 season with Red Bull well off the pace. The team has improved dramatically in recent weeks, though, and he equalled his best result of the year in Hungary.

Verstappen started the Hungarian Grand Prix in fourth, behind McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as well as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

The Dutchman enjoyed a good start and was third after the opening lap of the race. Despite complaining about his car for the remainder of the race, Verstappen was able to finish second after Piastri had to retire due to a gearbox failure.

Max Verstappen Rages at Two F1 Drivers

Bruna Casas via Reuters

Verstappen is never shy about conveying his feelings over team radio, regardless of whether he is happy or angry. He was particularly annoyed at two F1 drivers during the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Racing Bulls pair Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad enjoyed another strong weekend. The former finished eighth, earning four points, while Lindblad crossed the line in 10th.

Verstappen was not overly happily with their actions during the race, though. The 28-year-old, considered one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history, lost time while trying to pass the lapped duo in the latter stages of the race.

Instead of letting Verstappen through, the Racing Bulls pair continued to battle into Turn 2 as the Dutchman approached, which enraged the four-time world champion. He shouted in an untelevised radio message:

”Of all of Max Verstappen’s radio outbursts, this one is undoubtedly among the biggest,’ one Formula 1 fan said on X.

According to Crash.tv, it emerged after the race that a system failure meant race control had to revert to marshalling for blue flags after the light panels malfunctioned. Several drivers reported that the blue flags were not showing on their steering wheel display.

Max Verstappen Surprised at Podium Finish

Verstappen admitted that Red Bull performed much better than they expected in the Grand Prix. He said after the race, per ESPN:

“Yeah, I was still struggling with the same things as yesterday, so the car was just extremely oversteery, just degging quite hard at one point as well. But I do think that, you know, at the start, moving forward was, of course, making our first stint possible.

“Then, of course, we got undercut, but then I made the move on Lewis, which I think made my second stint a little bit more straightforward.

“I see it as a bit of an overperformance compared to what we expected, so I guess that’s, of course, a good thing considering how everything felt. I also saw, when I jumped out of the car again, there was damage on the car for whatever reason. So, yeah, it was not made easy for us.”

Verstappen is currently sixth in the 2026 Drivers’ standings, having accumulated 109 points from the opening 11 races of the season. He will be looking to pick up his first victory of the campaign at the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August.

Leeds United have been given fresh hope in their pursuit of Burnley striker Zian Flemming, as Daniel Farke looks to bolster the attacking options at his disposal.

Despite the Clarets’ relegation last term, Flemming impressed with his displays at Turf Moor. The Dutchman netted 11 goals in 29 Premier League appearances, and thus, it’s no surprise that top-flight teams are interested in prying him away from the second division.

Leeds have emerged as a potential suitor for Flemming, with Farke intent on adding another forward who can compete with the ageing, but still productive, Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Few developments have surfaced on this front for some time now, although recent comments from new Burnley boss Nick Hayen suggest that the Yorkshire outfit should be enthused by their chances of landing the former Millwall marksman.

Leeds Given Zian Flemming Transfer Boost

Leeds were in a relegation battle for much of last season, although they ended the campaign on a high, and the Whites are now looking to go to another level in 2026/27. The next step is consolidating themselves as a Premier League side, and to do this, significant reinforcements are needed at Elland Road.

Julian Brandt is reportedly a target, while the West Yorkshire club are also plotting an ambitious move for Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford.

Alongside these prospective additions, another centre-forward is needed in Farke’s squad. Flemming has been identified as an option, although movement on this deal has been slow in recent months.

However, new Burnley head coach Hayen told the Burnley Express that the 27-year-old will be allowed to leave Turf Moor this summer if a Premier League club forks out the fee the Clarets are looking for.

“Zian is also someone like Tino (Florentino Luis),” Hayen said.

“He’s working 100% on the pitch. Zian is not a guy who’s going to say like: ‘I want to leave Burnley’. He’s working really hard.

“Of course, he wants to take the next step in his career, but I think every player has a price. When the right price is paid by a Premier League club, for example, then he can go.”

Leeds Should Have No Problem in Flemming Pursuit

Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

The ‘superb’ Flemming has already proven himself in the Championship on three separate occasions, and he now has a respectable Premier League campaign on his CV. He’ll no doubt be itching to ply his trade at a top-flight club again next season, and these wishes should be reflected in Burnley’s stance regarding price.

The Clarets don’t have a reputation for holding players ransom, and will sell for a reasonable fee. Leeds should have the financial muscle to pay what Burnley want, and thus, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t get a deal over the line.

That said, given how ambitious the Whites have been in this window thus far, they may attempt something more audacious, as they look to level up.

FIFA have made a decision over Argentina after millions signed a petition demanding the South American nation are handed a permanent ban from future World Cup finals.

A staggering 23,316,108 people signed the “Leave, Argentina” petition, which reportedly called for a lifetime ban on the Argentina national team, according to Euro News, via GOAL.

Argentina’s ‘dirty’ tactics during the 2026 World Cup, followed by the unsavoury post-match altercations that marred the final against Spain at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, left a bitter taste in the mouths of football fans all over the world.

Argentina’s players were criticised further after they were seen with their backs turned while Spain’s Rodri lifted the World Cup trophy.

Defender Lisandro Martinez has now provided an explanation, insisting Argentina’s players were not deliberately snubbing their Spanish counterparts.

Meanwhile, FIFA are continuing their investigation into the post-match behaviour of Argentina’s players and coaching staff to determine whether their disciplinary code was violated.

FIFA ‘Confirm’ World Cup Decision Over Argentina

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Mark J Rebilas

While individual players are at risk of being punished by FIFA, there are no suggestions that Argentina will be blocked from competing in future tournaments.

In fact, talkSPORT say FIFA have now confirmed that all six host nations for the 2030 World Cup will automatically qualify, meaning Argentina are guaranteed a spot at the next tournament.

Argentina, along with Uruguay and Paraguay, are set to host one match each during the 2030 World Cup finals. The games will take place in the three countries’ capital cities: Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Asuncion, respectively.

Spain, Portugal and Morocco are the three main co-hosts of the next World Cup, but three matches will be played in South America to mark the 100th anniversary of the first-ever World Cup finals, hosted by Uruguay in 1930.

Lionel Messi’s Chances of Making 2030 World Cup

REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

It’s unlikely that Argentina’s legendary captain Lionel Messi will be part of the squad that attempts to win the World Cup trophy back in four years’ time.

The 39-year-old was sensational in North America up until the final, scoring eight goals and registering a further four assists.

Messi will turn 43 years old midway through the 2030 World Cup and may have already retired by the time the tournament begins.

One of Messi’s teammates has brought the curtain down on his international career following the World Cup final defeat to Spain. Defender Nicolas Otamendi, 38, released an emotional statement last week confirming he will no longer represent La Albiceleste after 139 appearances.