30/07/2017
NEWS STORY
Warning that he is unlikely to make many friends this afternoon as he intends fighting his way through to the front, Daniel Ricciardo reminds us that this - like most seemingly - is a tough circuit to overtake on.
It's a view shared by many drivers, not least Lewis Hamilton, who appears to have forgotten an epic move Nigel Mansell made on his great idol Ayrton Senna here back in 1989 - with a little help from 'Steve Johnson'.
However, if overtaking is particularly difficult here, someone appears to have forgotten to tell the F2 drivers and in particular Charles Leclerc.
OK, some of the moves ended in tears, and certainly in penalties, but on the other hand it often went right, not least when Leclerc passed three cars in one corner. Yes, you read that right, three cars in one corner.
We remember the time Thierry Boutsen did a Gilles Villeneuve and kept a train of cars at bay, however, if a driver is really on a mission he'll find a way past.
Indeed, reading some of the comments one would be forgiven that some drivers - no names - are making their excuses in advance, preparing their team bosses and fans for the inevitable.
Just two weeks after falling apart, literally, at Silverstone, Ferrari is expected to "breeze" to victory this afternoon, the Scuderia repeating its Monaco result, where, you will remember, it also locked out the front row of the grid.
However, if some have already forgotten Ferrari's form from Silverstone, one only has to go back to Friday to see that nothing is done and dusted.
A few tweaks overnight, along with some dedicated work in the Maranello simulator from Antonio Giovinazzi, and the red cars were on blistering pace yesterday, while Friday's pace-setter Ricciardo was left wondering "WTF?"
Clearly, like Monaco, the Hungaroring suits the Ferrari, and therefore there is every chance that the red cars will breeze to victory as Hamilton suggests. But it is not 100% certain... as we saw just two weeks ago, things can go wrong for the Scuderia and often do.
That said, Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas are likely to have their hands full this afternoon, not so much with Ferrari but with the updated Red Bulls of Ricciardo and Max Verstappen, both drivers relishing the opportunity to bring home a serious points tally.
Though Bottas quietly gets on with the job in typically Finnish style, this appears to be one of those 'off' weekends for his teammate.
With Hulkenberg demoted following his change of gearbox, the McLarens of Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne start seventh and eighth on a track that might finally deliver for the hapless Woking outfit and its engine partner.
After all, if the Woking duo cannot deliver here, the great leveller of circuits, what hope Spa, Monza, Austin...?
Behind these, and just as eager as Ricciardo to battle their way through the field, are the Renault, Toro Rossos, Force Indias and Haas', all looking to impress before the summer break.
Talking of Williams, kudos to Paul di Resta who not only stepped up to the plate in fine style yesterday, taking over Felipe Massa's car at just over an hour's notice having never driven it before, but went on to admit this morning, ahead of the race, that he still feels "a bit nervous". Not a word one usually associates with an F1 driver.
Having already lost a couple of grid positions due to impeding Lance Stroll in Q1, Daniil Kvyat would do well to curb his enthusiasm this afternoon, particularly at the start, or his break might last a little longer... the Russian facing a race ban is he accrues two more point before Austin.
With the weather gods not likely to have any impact today, much will rest of the start, that long run to the infamous Turn 1 leading to numerous similarly infamous incidents over the years.
Indeed, the message to all for the opening few seconds of this afternoon's race is, curb your enthusiasm.
According to Pirelli, the quickest theoretical strategy is a two-stopper: one supersoft stint (23 laps) plus one soft stint (24 laps), then supersofts to the flag. However, that leaves you open to traffic, so a one-stop might realistically be faster: start on supersoft for 33 laps, then softs to the flag.
As the pitlane opens, the air temperature is 29 degrees C, while the track temperature is 55 degrees.
The national anthem over, sung with the usual passion we witness here, this time by Levente Molnar, the drivers head back to their cars.
"Those laps to the grid, the way the car turns in, the rear tyres, they're going to die," warns Hamilton before the start of the warm-up lap.
All are on supersofts bar Kvyat and di Resta who start on the softs.
Amidst reports that Kimi Raikkonen will be retained by Ferrari in 2018, might the Finn ride shotgun for his teammate this afternoon? At which point the camera cuts to Sergio Marchionne in the Ferrari garage.
All get away cleanly for the warm-up lap.
They're away. Raikkonen falls in behind his teammate and holds off Verstappen and Bottas into T1 as the Red Bull driver runs slightly wide as he attempts to go around the outside of the Mercedes.
Going into T2, Ricciardo is hit by his teammate whi is still recovering after running wide in the first corner forcing the Australian off track.
Ricciardo rejoins the track and continues but on the run to T4 his car spins, the Australian having suffered a left-rear puncture in the earlier clash. He pulls to the side of the track. "Someone hit me," he tells his team. "If it's who I think it was it's shit!" The look on Christian Horner's face says it all.
As the Safety Car is deployed halfway through lap 1, it's Vettel, Raikkonen, Bottas, Verstappen, Hamilton, Sainz, Alonso, Perez, Vandoorne and Ocon. Ericsson pits at the end of the first lap.
As the field continues behind the Safety Car, the Stewards announce they are to investigate the Red Bull clash.
Replay shows that Palmer was lucky not to collect Ricciardo, while further back Grosjean was sent wide by Hulkenberg, another incident for the Stewards to look at.
As Ricciardo walks slowly back to the pits, the marshals are removing the oil deposited on the track at T3 by Ricciardo.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Hungary, here.
At the end of lap 2, Wehrlein follows his teammate's example and pits.
Magnussen reports that if other drivers do what Hulkenberg did to Grosjean "it's going to be dirty race".
The Safety Car withdraws at the end of lap 5.
At the re-start Hamilton is all over Verstappen while Alonso is all over Sainz with Perez chasing the pair of them. Despite their best efforts, neither hunter manages to overcome his prey.
Out front Vettel posts a fastest lap (23.137) as he builds a 1.6s lead.
Verstappen is handed a 10s time penalty for causing the first lap collision, as Hamilton also complains of "dangerous" driving by the Dutch youngster, claiming that it isn't worth trying to pass him.
"They didn't leave me space at Turn 1, just pushed me in the gravel," says Alonso of countryman Sainz at the re-start.
Indeed, the Stewards have noted the Sainz/Alonso incident.
As he builds a 2.9s cushion, Vettel is setting a blistering pace posting a string of fastest laps.
Mercedes advises Hamilton that it is having IT issues and asks him to perform a radio test. Wonder if he's tried switching it off and on again.
No further action to be taken over the Hulkenberg/Grosjean incident.
"Think I've got to take a little breather from that group," says Hulkenberg, who is clearly suffering cooling issues running behind Ocon and Palmer.
Down in fifth, Hamilton goes quickest in S2 as he sets about closing the 1.8s gap to Verstappen.
No further action to be taken over the Alonso/Sainz incident.
"The car is OK," says Magnussen, "but I feel I am driving on oil everywhere." The Dane is advised that he is not alone in feeling that way.
Hulkenberg passes his teammate to take 11th, the German having been told that Palmer will offer no resistance. "He's slower than you."
"Front left tyre pressure is dropping, we are monitoring it," Grosjean is told. "Wonderful," he replies, the Frenchman subsequently pitting. He rejoins in 19th (of 19) on softs.
Less than a lap later he is told to stop the car, advised of a crossed wheel nut. The Frenchman subsequently parks his car to become the second retirement of the day.
Vettel not entirely happy with his steering. "Check the steering, it's hanging to the left when I'm on the straight," he warns. "I think it's getting worse..." Onboard footage suggests that there is indeed some sort of issue.
The Stewards will investigate the unsafe release of Grosjean after the race.
As Mercedes' radio issues continue, Raikkonen closes to within 2s of his teammate, Bottas a further 6.7s behind.
Hulkenberg is all over the back of Ocon but getting nowhere. "I think you know what we need to do," he tells his team, referring to the undercut.
As Vettel closes in on last placed Ericsson, Bottas has a couple of lock-ups.
Told to mind Bottas' last lap, Raikkonen tells the team to look at the 1.3s gap to his teammate ahead.
Stroll pits at the end of lap 30, as does Bottas. The Finn, after an issue with the front-left, rejoins in 5th on softs.
Meanwhile, Hamilton goes quickest in S1.
"The fronts are not in a healthy state," warns Vettel, "don't extend it."
Next time around Hamilton stops, the Briton rejoining in 5th behind his Mercedes teammate. Magnussen also pits.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 32, handing the lead to his teammate. The German rejoins in third.
Raikkonen goes quickest in S1, but Bottas and Hamilton go quicker. The Ferrari driver pits at the end of lap 33, following a brief rant at the expense of di Resta. He rejoins in third just behind his teammate.
"Who is this Williams guy?" demands the Iceman. "He should stick to the reporting."
Check out our Sunday gallery from Hungary, here.
So, after 33 laps, Verstappen leads, but not only does he still have to stop, he has that 10s penalty... and 1.389s is exactly the lead he currently has over Vettel.
"I had the speed to stay out," complains Raikkonen.
A messy pit stop for Perez who rejoins in 12th.
Sainz, Alonso, Ocon and di Resta all pit at the end of lap 35. Sainz just about manages to keep the McLaren at bay as they head down the pitlane but as they rejoin the track so battle is rejoined.
In his eagerness Alonso runs wide almost (illegally) overtaking the Toro Rosso in the process.
Meanwhile, Hamilton is all over Bottas, the gap suddenly down to 0.9s.
Never one to give up, Alonso finally gets one over on Sainz, nailing his countryman to take 9th.
As that the Mercedes duo is closing, Raikkonen asks to be allowed to pass his teammate, the Finn advised of his teammate's steering issue which appears to be down to hitting the kerbs.
"Is he going full speed because obviously Mercedes are catching," says Raikkonen. "He has handling issues Kimi," comes the reply.
The Mercedes drivers are told of Vettel's issue.
"You've put me under massive pressure from Mercedes for no reason," snaps Raikkonen.
As Kvyat pits - at the end of lap 41 - Verstappen, Vandoorne, Hulkenberg, and Palmer are the only other drivers still to stop.
Verstappen finally pits at the end of lap 42, rejoining in 5th, having served his penalty. Vandoorne also pits, the McLaren driver rejoining in 12th.
"Radio check," says Hamilton. "Ah, we've got you back," comes the reply. "this radio stuff sucks," says the Briton.
"I've got a lot of pace, you've got to let me use it," says Hamilton. "I know," he is told, "just keep going, the race will come to us."
Palmer nips down the inside of Palmer to take tenth from the Briton. Just behind, Ocon keeps a watching eye.
Clearly having been given the order, Bottas moves aside in T1 for Hamilton who immediately bangs in a 20.890 to close to within 2.032s of Raikkonen.
Palmer finally pits at the end of lap 47, rejoining in 14th.
Vettel is told again to mind the kerbs.
A dreadful stop for Hulkenberg who suffers an issue with his left front and eventually returns to the fray in 12th.
"Lewis will let you by if he can't get past Raikkonen," Bottas is told.
After 50 laps, it's: Vettel, Raikkonen, Hamilton, Bottas, Verstappen, Alonso, Sainz, Perez, Ocon and Vandoorne.
"I give up," sighs Raikkonen. "I'm not in the most comfortable position."
"Make sure you stay close to Lewis so we can re-invert the cars," Bottas is told. Meanwhile, Verstappen is 8.4s behind the Finn and closing.
Hamilton is told he has 5 laps in which to "make something of this". "No pressure then," replies the Briton who admits that it is "getting very hard to get close".
Raikkonen closes on his teammate, is he making a move and if so is it authorised. In the process he posts a PB (21.523).
As Hulkenberg battles Magnussen, the Ferrari due are just behind.
Kvyat moves aside for the leading trio, as Raikkonen now complains that he's ruining his tyres.
In the midst of all this, Bottas has dropped 2.6s behind Hamilton who continues to hound Raikkonen.
The cameras cut to a mistake by Verstappen in T7, the Red Bull running wide.
"Hamilton is told he has five more laps but that his front callipers are reaching their limit.
"Shall I just let Valtteri back through?" he responds. "That way I don't have to keep busting my nuts off."
Check out our Sunday gallery from Hungary, here.
Within DRS range, the Briton is still unable to make a mark on the Ferrari.
"My tyres are holding," says Hamilton, "I'm just waiting for a mistake ahead."
Lap 59 sees Vettel post the quickest lap of the leading trio, though next time around Hamilton is slightly quicker. Bottas is now 5.6s adrift of his teammate with Verstappen just 4.3s behind.
In his efforts to pass Magnussen, Hulkenberg goes cross-country, the Dane not making it easy for the German. And why should he?
The stewards have noted said incident.
"OK Paul, we have a problem with the car," di Resta is told, "we have to retire."
"Let's pick up to Bottas," Verstappen is told.
Lap 63 sees Hamilton lose time, especially as he passes Ocon, the gap to Raikkonen now opening to 2.165s. However, with Verstappen just 1.750s behind Bottas can Mercedes risk the "re-invert".
Hamilton is told that Verstappen is on a "younger, softer tyre, he will be a threat".
Meanwhile, sixth placed Alonso posts a PB (20.745).
"Let's not take anything for granted," Raikkonen is told, "we don't know what Hamilton is going to do so keep going as you are."
Beautiful slo-mo shot of Verstappen getting out of shape in the chicane.
As Vettel begins his final lap, anxious moments in the Ferrari garage as Marchionne watches the monitor over the shoulder of Mario Binotto.
Magnussen is given a 5s time penalty for forcing Hulkenberg off track.
Vettel takes the flag with Raikkonen just behind, while Hamilton slows in the final corner to sportingly hand third to his teammate. Verstappen is fifth ahead of Alonso - who posts the fastest lap of the race (20.182) - Sainz, Perez, Ocon and Vandoorne.
Magnussen is eleventh on the road, but will lose positions as a result of that penalty, ahead of Kvyat, Palmer, Stroll, Wehrlein, Ericsson and Hulkenberg.
We mentioned earlier both Boutsen and Villeneuve, who both drove similar races long ago, stubbornly holding off the opposition in under-performing cars. The Belgian right here in Hungary in 1990, and the Canadian legend in Spain in 1981.
Quite how it will go down with Raikkonen remains to be seen, for Ferrari could have swallowed a second place for Vettel, especially in light of Hamilton's 'gift' to his teammate.
No matter, Vettel takes all 25 points and heads into the break with a 14 point advantage over Hamilton.
Vettel runs into the waiting arms of his crew, while Raikkonen is nowhere to be seen.
In the ante-room, Vettel whispers something in Raikkonen's ear, the Iceman grins.
As Vettel mimes his steering issue to Jock Clear, Bottas and Raikkonen commiserate with one another.
"On the right-handers it was OK," says Vettel, "but in the left-handers..." The German reveals that he had the issue almost from the start.
"I'm over the moon," says Vettel on the podium. "It was a really difficult race, it didn't look like, but I had my hands full from three or four laps after the safety car. There was something wrong, I don't know why, the steering started to go sideways.
"I stayed off the kerbs, tried to save the car, it wasn't easy, didn't do any favours to Kimi, but I couldn't go faster, I didn't have the pace. But towards the end it did come back a bit and there were a couple of laps i had a bit of a push and could breathe a bit.
"I really had to stay focused the whole race, " he adds, "it was really tough, but a great result and a great day."
As ever, once he had begun there was no shutting up Raikkonen, who effectively blamed today's result on his mistake in Q3 yesterday. Asked if he is disappointed he merely replies that it was a great result for the team.
"Obviously I want to win," he admits, "but this is great for the team."
As verbose as his countryman, Bottas merely wants to thank his teammate for his grand gesture in the final corner, one that could have ramifications further down the line.
"Thanks to Lewis to keep the promise and let me by in the end," says the Mercedes driver. "It's a shame, we had good pace but couldn't do better. It's been really cool driving here in front of the Finnish flags, so thank you."
As the sport heads into the summer break, albeit with two days of testing later in the week, it's worth noting that not since 2004 has the winner of the Hungarian GP gone on to claim the title. Then again, that man was a certain Michael Schumacher, a man Vettel very much models himself on.
Nonetheless, it's something to ponder over the break.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Hungary, here.