Franco Colapinto secured 56 percent of the fan vote to win the Formula 1 Overtake of the Month award for July, but the official recognition was ultimately awarded to Max Verstappen, according to reports from motorsport outlets. The decision has sparked debate over the transparency of the category’s selection process, which combines public polling with an undisclosed expert panel.
The Contested Vote at Spa-Francorchamps
The controversy centers on a maneuver executed during the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Driving for Alpine, Franco Colapinto navigated lap 31 of the 44-lap race in twelfth position when he encountered Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson battling ahead. Utilizing stored electrical energy and maximizing speed through one of the circuit’s fastest sectors, the Argentine driver launched his car down the inside, completing a daring double-overtake just before the chicane with all three vehicles running nearly in parallel, as documented by motorsport coverage.
When the official July poll closed, the results released by Formula 1 showed widespread backing from supporters. Colapinto led the tally with 56 percent of the vote. Max Verstappen finished second, capturing 37 percent for his pass on Lewis Hamilton during the Hungarian Grand Prix. Liam Lawson and Lewis Hamilton each drew 3 percent of the preference, while an alternative maneuver by Verstappen collected 1 percent.
Why Max Verstappen Received the Recognition
Despite the clear numerical advantage for Colapinto in the public survey, the official accolade was handed to Max Verstappen during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend. Verstappen appeared alongside Liam Lawson in the Zandvoort Fan Zone to accept the honor for July’s best pass.
According to the governing body’s published criteria, the monthly award is determined through a combination of fan voting and evaluation by a panel of experts. However, the category has not detailed the specific weighting assigned to each component, nor has it publicly identified who sits on the expert panel or how their scores are aggregated with the popular vote. This lack of transparency explains how Verstappen’s overtake on Hamilton secured the prize despite trailing significantly in the online ballot.
The Overtake of the Month Format
Introduced in 2023, the Overtake of the Month competition tracks standout racing maneuvers throughout the Formula 1 calendar. At the conclusion of the season, the monthly winners go head-to-head to determine the overall Overtake of the Year. The discrepancy in July’s decision has highlighted questions among followers regarding how the category balances fan engagement with internal judging when public preference and expert evaluation diverge.
As the Formula 1 season continues following the summer break, supporters await further clarification on whether the governing body will release more detailed breakdowns of its voting mechanics for future monthly awards.
