Sauber's Esteban Gutierrez accused Lewis Hamilton of being disrespectful following an incident between the Mexican and the Formula One world champion at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday.

McLaren's Hamilton appeared to aim an offensive gesture at the relatively junior driver as the Englishman was briefly held up while trying to lap Gutierrez on his way to victory at the Hungaroring.

Addressing the media after the race, Hamilton appeared to play down the confrontation.

Asked if the flashpoint was likely to result in a falling out between the pair, he said: "No, it's good. But definitely traffic today was difficult to navigate through."

Gutierrez, though, published a social media post that indicated there could be an awkward moment between the two when they meet ahead of next week's German Grand Prix in Hockenheim.

"Being a world champion doesn't give you the right to be disrespectful to your competitors, my friend @LewisHamilton," he tweeted.

Hamilton's victory saw him take the lead in the drivers' championship for the first time this season, displacing team-mate Nico Rosberg.

"Well, it's very close," the German said of the battle at the top.

"It's been a good season so far up to now, it's been a good battle with Lewis and as I've always said, I'm not counting the points, there's still a long, long way to go. 

"Everything's still possible and I just want to focus on winning races."