Hungaroring where everyone would’ve expected a rather straightforward Mercedes P1 and P2 with Lewis Hamilton getting his record ninth win in Hungary and his 100th career win. But there was a lot of drama especially in the first turn of the race where Verstappen got a better release than Valterri Bottas and managed to overtake him. Even Lando Norris managed to overtake him towards turn 1 and due to rain being a factor for his misjudgement. Bottas lost control of his Mercedes and rammed his car into the back of Norris’ Mclaren, resulting in a lot of drama leading to turn 1 and hence getting Sergio Perez, Norris, Bottas, Charles Leclerc, Lance Stroll all out due to the crash. Even Max Verstappen got damage to the right side of his Red Bull.
Astonishing Alpine
After the havoc in turn 1 resulting in a red flag, there was more drama as every racer on the grid pitted for medium tires in the second lap except Lewis Hamilton who had intermediate tires on for the first lap and eventually pitting for mediums resulting in him being last for the time being. Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso were in first and second position after the red flag. Esteban Ocon was the first French driver to win in a French car with a French engine since Alain Prost’s victory for Renault in Austria 1983. Resulting in the Frenchman getting his maiden Grand Prix win in Formula 1, after a favor from his veteran teammate Fernando Alonso holding Lewis Hamilton who would’ve eventually won the race as he was on fresher tires and a different compound. However, it resulted in a very good weekend for Alpine as Fernando Alonso also finished P4 after Sebastian Vettel’s disqualification due to insufficient fuel sample after the race.
Worthy Williams
Nicholas Latifi and George Russell finished P7 and P8 respectively and managed to finish in the top 10 for the first time this season. George Russell has been very impressive recently considering he as has far less competitive car than others. He came home finally to score his first points for Williams in his 48th race for the team. Whereas Nicholas Latifi his teammate, secured his first career points in 7th place, the best place for Williams since Azerbaijan 2018 when Lance Stroll took P8. As Far as Williams are concerned this could prove to be key in their season as this puts them ahead of Alfa Romeo and Haas with 10 points in the Constructor’s Standings
Championship race
Red Bull’s early lead on the Mercedes has vanished and it’s the silver arrows who lead in the Driver’s and Constructor’s standings going into the summer break. Due to the chaos occurring in turn 1 and getting by Norris, Max Verstappen just couldn’t make up the ground he lost in the start and eventually finishing P9 as a consolation and making the most of the situation. Alpha Tauri favored them as Pierre Gasly took the fastest lap point off Hamilton in the last lap such small are the margins this time around in regards to the Championship. Although Mercedes would have wanted a repeat of Hungary 2019, Fernando Alonso’s incredible defensive skills and holding Hamilton for almost 10 laps resulted in Hamilton only finishing P2 just behind Esteban Ocon. However, Mercedes would take this result considering they made a mistake telling Lewis Hamilton to stay out when the rest of the grid pitted after the red flag.
Big decisions from the FIA
Lance stroll who smashed his Aston Martin into Leclerc’s Ferrari was hit with a 5 place grid penalty for the Belgian Grand Prix after the summer break. His teammate however had a brilliant race just behind Ocon in P2 taking his 2nd podium of the year and Aston Martin’s first-ever podium in Hungary. It was Vettel’s 8th podium in Hungary which ties Suzuka and Marina Bay as the best circuits in his career. But his happiness was short-lived as he was disqualified from the race due to insufficient fuel samples after the race. However, Aston Martin appealed to the stewards against this decision but it looks like their appeal would not be enough for the FIA to reverse their decision. Mercedes’ Valterri Bottas was also given a 5 place grid penalty for the Belgian Grand Prix due to his actions in turn 1.
After seeing their commanding lead vanish in the space of two races and Mercedes now pretty much back in the mix sets the foundation for a Bizzare title race when everyone comes back after the summer break. With 12 races still to go this year after the break, it’s all to play for in the second-half of the season and it should be a Rollercoaster ride with such small margins and to see who would come out on top, the silver arrows or Red Bull.
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