01/08/2021
NEWS STORY
Now, while we refuse to sink to the sort of language used by Max Verstappen in the press conference yesterday, those pesky Weather Gods are surely taking the p***!
All week long we've been promised heavy rain, thunderstorms even, but instead we've had bright sunshine and record temperatures.
Then, overnight, the skies opened up only to give way to bright sunshine again.
Now, ahead of today's race we are still promised a storm or two, but once the flag has fallen.
Those bloody Weather Gods!
While we might not be able to rely on the Weather Gods, at least we can anticipate a genuine battle of nerves in today's Hungarian Grand Prix.
Still seething following Lewis Hamilton's move at Silverstone, not to mention his antics in Q3 yesterday, the gloves will be off as far as Verstappen is concerned, while the world champion will be equally keen to put the young upstart in his place.
This is the fight we've been waiting for, the underlying bad feeling finally rising to the surface and erupting like a pus-filled pimple. Today, and hopefully beyond, it's war, the gloves off and ripped to shreds.
Woah! Hold on, we were getting carried away... Sorry about that, but suddenly we found ourselves caught up in the hyperbole and hysteria that has infected the media over the last couple of weeks... please forgive us.
OK, putting all the bullsh** aside, we do have the prospect of an interesting race for while Mercedes has clearly found some much-needed pace and consequently dominates the front row, the Bulls are on the faster, softer tyre.
However, any advantage offered by the red-banded rubber is extremely short-lived, therefore the Bulls must take advantage at the start heading into Turn 1... but let's not go down that route again.
While the media centre - which for some strange reason is populated this weekend by a number of journos who have barely covered the sport before - concentrate on those first 618 metres, it is the battle raging behind that excites.
Red Bull and Verstappen know that there are still at least ten races so the title will not be won here, so the Dutchman would be best served by letting his title rival get on with it. After all, another DNQ would be catastrophic.
Hamilton has his good old reliable wingman Valtteri on duty, so it is likely the Finn will ride shotgun whilst his teammate disappears into the distance.
Having taken on his third engine of the season, Verstappen is aware that there will be grid penalties further down the line, so, if only for that reason alone, he would do well to remember the adage; softly, softly catchee monkey.
Furthermore, with both seats still not secured, Perez and Bottas would both do well to play the good servant today.
And so to the midfield, where Gasly starts ahead of Norris, Leclerc, Ocon, Alonso, Vettel and Ricciardo, with Sainz a lowly 15th. Surely that is the sort of grid order Ross Brawn and his wretched Sprint was hoping for.
Though the Hungaroring has produced some massive yawn-fests over the years, it has also witnessed more than its fair share of great moves, it is a circuit that rewards the brave.
However, as we reflect on the madness of the last two weeks, are we alone in hoping that we can at least get through the afternoon without any controversy and mud-slinging.
And if those Weather Gods should be listening...
In terms of strategy, it is finely balanced between a one-stop and a two-stop strategy, with both approaches valid for the race, but a two-stopper being quickest on paper.
A lot will depend on two factors: starting tyres and temperatures. Those starting on the softs could favour a two-stopper, with a number of potential options involving a switch to the mediums for the last two stints or possibly even a final run on the soft tyre at the end of the race - especially if there is scope to score an extra championship point for fastest lap. Using all three compounds is another viable possibility.
However, with the notorious difficulty of overtaking, track position is key; so this could encourage more drivers towards a one-stopper. Those starting on the mediums can definitely make that strategy work, by switching to the hards for the remainder of the race. But soft to hard is also possible, although slower.
As ever, the weather will probably be a deciding factor. Up to now, there have been record track temperatures, and the predicted rain has so far failed to materialise.
The pitlane opens, and suddenly it has clouded over... could it? Will it?
Indeed, it is considerably cooler than yesterday, air temperature is 28 degrees C, while the track temperature is 41 degrees.
One by one they head out, among the first is Verstappen with his new engine.
The drivers take their places on the grid, and they climb from the cars the first spits of rain begin to fall.
"Change in climatic conditions," race control helpfully advises.
The drivers gather for the national anthem, without any doubt, the most emotive on the F1 schedule.
"Risk of rain is 100%," advises race control as members of the Ferrari crew change the brake shroud on the front-left of Leclerc's car.
Giovinazzi is advised that "this intensity" of rain will last for the next half hour. That said, it is not that intense.
However, all are starting on inters. However, Hamilton reports: "If it stays like this, it is not inters. It is very much slicks."
They head off on the formation lap, all getting away cleanly.
Stroll is told that after 25 minutes at the current intensity it will get heavier before easing off and drying out.
"Inters," Hamilton finally agrees.
Giovinazzi pits ahead of the start, though it is not clear why.
They're away! Hamilton gets away well, but not Bottas who finds himself with Verstappen passing to his left and Norris to his right. Indeed, as the McLaren and Red Bull get ahead of the Mercedes, Perez and Gasly appear to catch him on the hop.
As they head into Turn 1 it's disaster as Bottas loses wet and slides into Norris from behind who then slides into Verstappen, while Bottas then careers into Perez, forcing Gasly to take avoiding action.
Moments later, Stroll, looking to take advantage of the mayhem on the outer edge of the corner, goes down the inside but hits Leclerc who then hits Ricciardo sending the McLaren into a spin and facing in the wrong direction.
The safety car is deployed as Bottas and Leclerc climb from their cars, with Stroll also out.
Hamilton leads Ocon, Vettel, Sainz, Tsunoda, Latifi, Alonso, Russell, Raikkonen and Schumacher.
Pitting at the end of the lap, Norris is released into the path of Giovinazzi.
After 2 laps the race is finally red-flagged as Verstappen is told he has a broken bargeboard. "The whole thing," he replies.
The field head into the pits, with Verstappen down in 13th position.
Understandably, the various incidents are under investigation.
Check out our Sunday gallery from the Hungaroring, here.
While much of Verstappen's car can be repaired, as can Norris', Perez, Stroll, Leclerc and Bottas are all out.
That said, McLaren informs Michael Masi that Norris' car cannot be repaired and he will not make the re-start.
Another big loser was Gasly, who started fifth but had to take avoiding action at both incident and consequently dropped to 11th.
The race will resume at 15:32. And at which point the sun begins to break through.
As they head out, there is a large gap on the right-side of Verstappen's car where his bargeboard used to be.
"It's definitely going to be dry and quick," reports Hamilton once back on track. At present, the Mercedes driver, like everyone else, is on inters.
"At this rate everybody is going to box," reports Russell.
Indeed Ocon pits, as do Vettel, Sainz, Tsunoda and everyone else, in fact it is only Hamilton who doesn't pit. All switch to mediums.
Alonso passes Raikkonen for 8th.
"Yeh, it's dry," admits Hamilton. "Box, box, box, box," he is told.
Out front, Russell suddenly slows, he appears to have a puncture. Or rather not, he was instructed to hand back positions by race control.
Rejoining the race in last, Hamilton asks: "Am I last?"
Ocon leads Vettel, Latifi, Tsunoda, Sainz and Alonso.
Meanwhile, Mazepin is out after Raikkonen was released into the Haas driver badly damaging the Haas.
Hamilton is told that it's all to play for as Verstappen has damage and therefore the Briton will be the fastest driver out there.
So, after 7 laps, Hamilton is 14th - and last - three places behind a certain Dutchman who is hard on the heels of Schumacher.
Just 0.607s down on Giovinazzi, Hamilton says: "I can't even get close."
A train is forming behind third placed Latifi, Allowing Vettel to concentrate on Ocon ahead.
Hamilton finally passes Giovinazzi heading into Turn 1 at the start of lap 10.
To add to his woes Giovinazzi is given a 10s stop and go penalty for speeding in the pitlane.
All that separates Hamilton and Verstappen is Gasly.
The stewards reveal that they are also investigating an unsafe release involving Sainz and Tsunoda.
Hamilton reports that his brake calipers are overheating
"If you need to compromise my race to keep Niki (Latifi) ahead, do it," says a magnanimous Russell.
"There's no grip out here," reports Hamilton.
At the start of lap 14, Verstappen goes wide in Turn 1 as he seeks to pass Schumacher. He subsequently makes a move in Turn 3, they touch but the Dutchman is through, the German not making things easy.
Raikkonen is given a 10s penalty for his unsafe release.
Gasly makes short work of Schumacher who now has Hamilton on his tail.
Raikkonen pits at the end of lap 15 to serve his penalty and switch to hards. He rejoins in 14th (of 14).
"I don't know what to say guys, I can't get close to people," admits Hamilton.
"We're going to Plan A, plus 5," Ocon is told.
At the end of lap 19, Hamilton pits. Switching to hards he rejoins in 12th, more importantly in clean air.
"Give it everything you've got this lap, Max!"
Meanwhile, Raikkonen posts a new fastest lap (23.165).
Ricciardo and Verstappen both pit at the end of lap 20, Hamilton having undercut the pair of them.
No surprise that Hamilton set purples in the two final sectors.
As Russell pits, told to follow suit, Sainz replies: "No, no, patience."
Posting a new fastest lap (21.531), Hamilton is up to 9th, having undercut Russell also.
Next time around Tsunoda pits, the Japanese driver rejoining in 7th.
Latifi pits at the end of lap 23 as Vettel ups the pressure on race leader Ocon.
Told to push every lap - which suggests a definite two-stop - Hamilton posts a string of fastest laps.
In third, Sainz is lapping around 1.5s quicker than Ocon and Vettel, though he remains 14s behind the German.
Words we never thought we'd write - or Williams to utter: "OK Niki, we need to push, you are racing Hamilton behind."
That said, the world champion makes short work on the Canadian and sets off after Tsunoda.
"The sky is getting black," reports Alonso, however the Spaniard is told that there is nothing on the radar.
Gasly is the first of the leading five to pit, the Frenchman rejoining in 8th, ahead of Schumacher and Russell.
As Hamilton takes on Tsunoda, making a brilliant move on the Alpha in Turn 4, the TV director concentrates on the Schumacher/Russell battle.
Sainz pits at the end of lap 33, rejoining in third, 2.2s ahead of Hamilton.
Another great move, this time by Russell on Schumacher in Turn 2.
In quick succession, Ricciardo and Verstappen pass Schumacher.
"We're looking at a podium," Hamilton is told when he asks for an appraisal of the situation.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 36, and while there's an issue with the left-rear he rejoins in third5.8s ahead of Sainz.
Next time around Ocon pits, the Frenchman rejoining behind his Alpine teammate, but, more importantly, ahead of Vettel.
The German is all over the Alpine, but as he gets up to speed the Frenchman is able to keep the German at bay.
"Not much left in the tyres I guess," reports Alonso. "Not long now," he is told.
"These tyres are struggling," reports Hamilton, as Alonso finally pits. The Spaniard rejoins in 5th, 8.4s down on Hamilton.
A brilliant bit of late-braking sees Gasly pass Latifi in Turn 1 for 7th.
Check out our Sunday gallery from the Hungaroring, here.
Verstappen pits at the end of lap 40, the Dutchman switching to mediums. He rejoins in 12th.
On fresh rubber, Alonso posts a new fastest lap (20.359).
"Rears are sh**!" reports Hamilton.
After 43 laps (of 70), Ocon leads Vettel, Sainz, Hamilton, Alonso, Tsunoda, Gasly, Latifi, Russell and Ricciardo. Raikkonen is eleventh, ahead of Verstappen, Schumacher and Giovinazzi.
"Schumacher is going to box again," warns Sainz.
"The tyres have got a second wind," reveals Hamilton. Well, what do you know?
Vettel remains 0.9s behind Ocon but it is the age old problem of not b eing able to get any closer.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 47, rejoining in 5th on mediums with 22 laps remaining.
"Head down Lewis, Hammer-time all the way."
As Ocon laps Giovinazzi, Vettel makes a move on the Alpine driver but doesn't quite pull it off. Nonetheless, the German is all over his rear.
As he posts a new fastest lap (18.715), Hamilton is told - believe it or not: "For cars to overtake for the win... Ocon is lapping at 1:22." "Lewis, you can win this," adds Toto Wolff.
Elsewhere, Verstappen passes Raikkonen for 11th.
"Ocon is holding us up here," Vettel is warned.
"Can you tell Pierre to go quicker," asks Tsunoda.
Hamilton closes on the wily old fox that is Alonso, and despite the brief intervention of Raikkonen as he exited the pits, having switched to softs, the battle continues, both drivers using every trick in the book.
Time and time again, Hamilton takes a look but Alonso is having none of it.
Of course, whilst he's tied up with Hamilton, Alonso cannot bother countryman Sainz who is 1.5s up the road.
"I need some more power, I haven't got any," reports Hamilton. "He's all over the place," he adds.
Elsewhere, Verstappen passes Ricciardo on the outside of Turn 2 for 10th.
It is announced that Bottas has a 5-place grid penalty for the Belgian Grand Prix later this month.
Again Hamilton makes a move, they almost touch in Turn 4, but again the Briton cannot make it stick.
"He moved over on me," claims Hamilton. "At that speed it's so dangerous, man."
Out come the yellows as Tsunoda spins in Turn 2.
At the start of lap 65, Alonso overdoes it into Turn 1, and that's all that Hamilton needs, the Briton is through. It was good while it lasted.
Hamilton closes on Sainz, who looks likely to be a far easier prey than Alonso, such is the state of his tyres.
Indeed, at Turn 1 on lap 67 Hamilton nails the Ferrari driver to claim third.
All of which allows Alonso to close in on the Ferrari.
As they begin the penultimate lap, it's: Ocon, Vettel, Hamilton, Sainz, Alonso and Gasly. However, the AlphaTauri driver pits for fresh rubber. He rejoins still in sixth, ahead of Tsunoda, Latifi, Russell and Verstappen.
Ocon takes the flag, ahead of Vettel and Hamilton as the flag falls on an absolutely crazy race.
Gasly claims the point for fastest lap, the Frenchman crossing the line at 18.394.
What a crazy, crazy race.
First off we have Bottas taking out several rivals, including both Red Bulls. Then we have his teammate starting alone on the grid and the rest of the field in the pitlane. Verstappen restarting the race but with various bits of his car missing. The world champion pitting after one lap and rejoining in last position, Collisions in the pitlane and then some of the wildest dog fights we've seen in years.
And as if that wasn't enough, what with Esteban Ocon taking his maiden F1 win - ahead of Sebastian Vettel - we have Mr Hamilton finishing on the podium while Red Bull claims just one point from two races.
A crazy, crazy day... in which the Weather Gods only featured for a short while but made a huge impression.
However, even though the flag has fallen the drama isn't over, for Ocon parks up at the 'losers' end of the pitlane - clearly unaware of race wining protocol - and has to run to the correct end while Vettel has parked on track having run out of fuel.
In a nice touch, Alonso waits underneath the podium for his teammate in order to congratulate him.
"Huge congratulations to the Alpine team and to Ocon," says Hamilton, "it's been a long time coming and I'm really happy for him.
"And Aston Martin up there too," he adds.
"It was definitely tough, we made it difficult for ourselves," he admits. "It's crazy to think we were the only ones of the grid for the restart.
"I was telling the team how the track was, but they said rain was coming so I thought they had other information. Considering the circumstances today, I'll take it."
"I'm a little bit disappointed," admits Vettel, "I felt I was faster but he didn't make a single mistake and it's a tricky track to overtake on.
"I had a very, very bad start but it turned out to be the best place to be," he smiles. "I found myself at the front of the pack, it definitely made our race today."
"Just a big thank you for the trust that everyone is putting into me," beams Ocon. "When you are out of Q1, you are P17, you don't know where you are but the team put their trust in me and we are back where we belong.
"With Fernando, we are forming a real strong duo, we are pushing the team on. I tell you, we are going to have a great Monday."
And so we head into the summer break with a smile on our faces, and as opposed to the confrontation sections of the media so badly wanted, we got some great racing and some moments we are unlikely to forget in a hurry.
And before Ross Brawn starts wondering how this sort of stuff can be recreated, he needs to understand that today was about how teams and drivers react to a set of circumstances that come about naturally... or unnaturally. These circumstances, and the reactions to them, cannot, and must not, be artificially created for entertainment purposes.
Enjoy the summer break.
Check out our Sunday gallery from the Hungaroring, here.