MOTORSPORT: Spin and win for Verstappen in Hungary
Ferrari’s strategy fails Leclerc again as Red Bull star claims eighth win this seasonRed Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen has claimed his eighth victory of the Formula 1 season at the Hungaroring for the Hungarian Grand Prix, after driving through the field from 10th on the grid, in the process overcoming a mid-race spin.
Elsewhere, the tough run for the Scuderia Ferrari continued, after Charles Leclerc was in prime position to return to the top step of the podium, however, a mid-race switch to the hard compound tyre proved costly, with the Monégasque driver fading to sixth in the final run down.
For Verstappen, the 28th success of his career has extended his title advantage to 80 points over Leclerc, with the drive a major bounce back after engine issues on Saturday cruelled his qualifying run.
“I think nobody really expected this,” said Verstappen.
“We said to each other that we have to remain calm before the race, and I think we did that.
“We put the right tyres on the car – I think that was the most important thing today, to have the grip.
“And then I basically saw that Charles was struggling a lot on the hard tyre, so that was my moment to try and attack him.
“I got him and then I spun, did a 360, lost the position again, but then we just kept our heads down and got him back again, pulled a gap and basically managed that to the end, because it started to drizzle as well.”
With the opening portion of the race featuring overtaking moves aplenty, the ultimate story of the Grand Prix unfolded when Leclerc pitted for hard tyres on lap 40 of 70.
On the next circuit, Verstappen swept past the Ferrari at turn one but subsequently spun behind the pits, dropping a lone position to Leclerc while recovering.
It took until lap 45 for the Dutchman to make it back past Leclerc, this time on the exit of turn one, with the Ferrari then stopping again on lap 55.
Behind Verstappen at the chequered flag was Lewis Hamilton, who had to fight through from seventh on the grid after DRS issues in qualifying, earning second spot with five laps remaining by passing Mercedes teammate George Russell, who earlier registered his first career pole.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was fourth ahead of the Red Bull of Sergio Perez, Leclerc, Lando Norris (McLaren), the Alpines of Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon, with Sebastian Vettel rounding out the top 10 in his Aston Martin, after earlier in the week announcing his retirement.
Daniel Ricciardo was classified 15th at the finish after battling against the hard compound tyre, while he also received a five-second penalty for contact with Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin.
A highlight for the McLaren driver was a spectacular double overtake on the Alpine duo at turn one.
Earlier in the weekend, fellow Aussie Jack Doohan claimed his second F2 sprint race win in four events, to currently sit ninth in the standings in his first full season in the F1 feeder category.
The focus of the Formula 1 teams now switches to the mid-year break, which will be followed by the Belgian Grand Prix from the new-look Spa-Francorchamps on August 28.
2022 Hungarian Grand Prix results:
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG
- George Russell, Mercedes-AMG
- Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
- Sergio Perez, Red Bull
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
- Lando Norris, McLaren
- Fernando Alonso, Alpine
- Esteban Ocon, Alpine
- Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin
- Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
- Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri
- Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo
- Mick Schumacher, Haas
- Daniel Riccardo, McLaren
- Kevin Magnussen, Haas
- Alexander Albon, Williams
- Nicholas Latifi, Williams
- Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri
- DNF. Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo
2022 Formula 1 championship standings:
- Max Verstappen, 258
- Charles Leclerc, 178
- Sergio Perez, 173
- George Russell, 158
- Carlos Sainz, 156
- Lewis Hamilton, 146
- Lando Norris, 76
- Esteban Ocon, 58
- Valtteri Bottas, 46
- Fernando Alonso, 41
Related: MOTORSPORT: Sebastian Vettel calls time on F1 career
Related: MOTORSPORT: Verstappen dominates French Grand Prix
Related: MOTORSPORT: Ferrari returns serve in Austria
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