It was another promising day for Mercedes who scored a carbon copy of podium results from the French Grand Prix while Max Verstappen, who took overall honours at the Hungaroring, comfortably extended his championship lead heading into the summer break.
It will be a pensive and disappointing four week summer break for Ferrari who once again capitulated at the pressure of tyre strategies. Starting from second and third on the grid, Sainz and Leclerc only managed to cross the chequered flag in fourth and sixth position, sandwiching Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez.
Teammate Max Verstappen surged to victory after starting in tenth position, ahead of Perez, for a disappointing Saturday result. The Dutchman suffered a theatrical spin in the third sector of the track after successfully passing Charles Leclerc in the middle stage of the race, who at the time was on harder tyres that lacked grip in the cool conditions. Despite this unforced error, he put in a healthy stint on the medium compound tyres that saw him to the end of the race. Polesitter George Russell and Lewis Hamilton who started in seventh at the Hungaroring claimed third and second respectively, sending the Brackley outfit into the summer break with high spirits.
With the threat of rain ominously present in the overcast sky throughout the afternoon, it was only the last lap where some moderately slippery conditions hampered the drivers. For the most part, the Hungaroring provided an uneventful race with clean racing up and down the grid, save from an opening lap incident and mid race tangle involving Daniel Ricciardo and Lance Stroll along the long-winded second corner. Valterri Bottas was the only driver that failed to finish after mentioning no-power as he manoeuvred his Ferrari powered Alfa Romeo off of the circuit and into the reach of marshalls.
It was another double points finish for the Alpine duo of Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon who crossed the line behind championship rival; Lando Norris, who put his MCL36 in seventh. After announcing his retirement heading into the weekend of racing, Sebastian Vettel achieved the final point position of the race, crossing the chequered flag in tenth.
See all of the results from the Hungarian Grand Prix here.
The 28th of August will have the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps host the paddock in Belgium. After another disappointing performance by Ferrari at the Hungaroring, the latter part of the season remains firmly within the hands of Red Bull with Max Verstappen tentatively set to hold onto his number 1 racing number. Mercedes, with their ever improving performance, may start to challenge for victories and relegate the Maranello based outfit to third in the Constructors’ standings.
