Track Torque: Happy ‘six of the best’ for Hamilton
The defending champion has increased his championship lead to 24 points.
Lewis Hamilton proved that he was hungry in Hungary and won the race for the sixth time last Sunday. It was his 77th pole position and 67th career win.
Although there was continuous pressure from the rear, Hamilton stroked it to the finish and won by a clear 17 seconds.
ALSO READ : Track Torque: Hamilton heroics at Hockenheim
It was close to a one-two for Mercedes but Valtteri Bottas lost control on worn tyres and collided with Daniel Ricciardo, receiving a 10 second time penalty.
It was an exciting race with several ups and downs.
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) in the end took second place ahead of his teammate Kimi Raikkonen to keep Hamilton from opening up too big a championship lead.
Daniel Ricciardo was very happy in the end to recover fourth place ahead of Valtteri Bottas, after starting his Red Bull 12th on the grid.
Honda should be very pleased with Pierre Gasly’s drive into sixth place in the Toro Rosso Honda, while team mate Brendon Hartley brought the other Toro Rosso Honda home just out of the points in 11th place.
Kevin Magnussen’s Haas Ferrari was a very healthy seventh and team mate Romain Grosjean in the other Haas tenth.
Fernando Alonso had to work very hard to bring his McLaren Renault one lap behind, in eighth position while Carlos Sainz was in the last points scoring spot in 9th.
That completes the chequered flag crossword puzzle top 10!
The teams now go home for a month’s break – so-called – but I am certain that backup crew continue with development during the next three weeks before the Grand Prix circus returns to my favorite track, Spa Francorchamps in the Ardennes forest in Belgium.
The track is full of blindingly fast corners, starting with the famous Eau Rouge just after Stavelot hairpin bend.
It is great for making goosebumps and hairs stand on end. Amazing adrenaline stuff.
Who will bring the new twist in the tale to the next episode, Ferrari or Mercedes?
I think that the latter has something up their sleeve to counter the perceived Ferrari advantage.
See you in just over three weeks time in the Ardennes.
Drivers: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 213; 2 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 189; 3 Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 146; 4 Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 132; 5 Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) 118; 6 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 105.
Team: 1 Mercedes 345; 2 Ferrari 335; 3 Red Bull 223; 4 Renault 82; 5 Haas 66; 6 Force India 59.
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