31/07/2022
NEWS STORY
Unlike some, we simply loathe the ongoing tendency to 'big up' events in advance - more than anything this is due to the fact that in most cases the greater the sense of anticipation the greater the eventual let-down.
How many times has that promised thriller turned out to be a damp squib, while, usually due to events unforeseen and beyond anyone's control, the expected procession turns out to be the race of the season.
All week we have been told that the Hungaroring is not a track where overtaking is possible and fans of a certain vintage may well remember Thierry Boutsen giving a perfect example of this.
However, over the years, going all the way back to that move Nigel Mansell made on Ayrton Senna, we have seen that fortune favours the brave here. Indeed, one might even say that - sorry - those who are hungry enough will find a way.
Thus far, events have certainly conspired to present us with a classic, be it George Russell seeking to do a Thierry, or the Red Bull pair opting for new engines overnight.
As if that wasn't enough, we have the Ferrari pair seeking to make short work of Russell - and possibly each other - whilst fending off the attention of Norris and the Alpines.
Last year's bad boy, Valtteri Bottas, starts alongside Hamilton and ahead of Ricciardo, with the Haas pair eager to get back into the points.
In all honesty, one cannot help but feel that we are being played in terms of Mercedes, the wild variations in performance from session-to-session are totally inexplicable. One minute the team appears to be staring into the abyss, only to then insist that the title is still on the table.
Of course, a remarkable come-back in the second half of the season is the sort of thing that only movie scriptwriters can dream about.
Whether Russell does have the wherewithal to hold off the Ferraris today remains to be seen, however it is unlikely. In which case he must concentrate on a podium finish.
Other than the weather and reliability, the real game changer could be the likes of Alonso, who, courtesy of the 2022 DRS train phenomenon and the 'Thierry factor', could wreak havoc over the course of the afternoon, thwarting the best plans of his rivals, including the Bulls. Of course, while some drivers may opt to hold station and await an opportunity, others are only ever a millisecond away from the red mist, which is when 'incidents' begin to occur.
If it remains dry it could be a one-stopper or a two-stopper. Friday's running suggests that the soft could be a viable race tyre, as part of either a one-stop or a two-stop strategy. A one-stopper could be soft to hard, or medium to hard (which requires a bit less management over the opening stint).
However, most drivers will probably stop only once, in order to safeguard track position.
That said, a two-stopper is also a good option, very close to a one-stopper in terms of overall time. The obvious two-stopper would be soft-medium-medium, but soft-medium-soft is another interesting option - with the cars much lighter towards the end of the race.
While it was predicted that today would be dry but cool, there are some very dark clouds in the vicinity, and it is quite possible that the Weather Gods have a few surprises in store for us.
Whatever else, the fact that Esteban Ocon won here twelve months ago is ample evidence that Hungary has a knack of throwing up surprises.
The pitlane opens and Stroll leads the way, followed by Verstappen, Zhou, Sainz, Vettel and Leclerc.
It is currently 19 degrees C in terms of air temperature, while the track temperature is 27% degrees. Other than the concern over those ominous clouds, the other factor which is likely to play a part today is the wind, which is remarkably strong.
Indeed, even on their way to the grid a number of drivers experience lock-ups, among them Verstappen, Russell and Ricciardo. The chicane at Turns 6/7 proving particularly problematic.
Hamilton complains of a vibration from his brakes. No such issues for Verstappen however who reports that: "All is OK".
No sooner has race control confirmed a 60% chance of rain than the first spots begin to fall.
"We expect it to begin in five minutes and last for ten minutes, higher intensity than what we're seeing now," Russell is warned. Bottas is told that the rain, when it comes, will not be very heavy.
Russell is on softs as is Norris, Ricciardo, Verstappen, Perez, Stroll, Tsunoda, Albon, Vettel and Gasly, who starts from the pitlane, while the rest are on mediums.
As they head off on the formation lap it is still spitting with rain.
All get away though the Bulls are remarkably slow heading off... possibly in a bid to leave the leaders waiting on the grid that little bit longer.
The grid forms... Hamilton is still complaining about a vibration from his brakes.
They're away. Russell gets away well, and as Sainz moves across the track, presumably to get the two, Norris and Ocon move up on the inside.
Sainz is all over the Mercedes into Turn 1, with Leclerc behind and Norris on the inside of Hamilton. However, the Mercedes driver runs wide exiting the first corner.
Verstappen, who made a great start, going around the outside of several cars in Turn 1, is past Alonso and challenging Ocon for sixth. However, heading into Turn 3 Alonso gets back past the world champion, while Perez is just behind.
At the end of lap 1, as the VSC is deployed, it's: Russell, Sainz, Leclerc, Norris, Hamilton, Ocon, Alonso, Verstappen, Perez and Magnussen.
The VSC is the result of an incident involving Albon and Vettel, the Williams having incurred damage which has left debris on the track at Turn 5. Magnussen and Ricciardo also clashed in Turn 1 the replays reveal.
"Never, never in all my life have I saw a defence like Esteban today, never," complains Alonso of his teammate's antics at the start.
The VSC is withdrawn at the end of lap 2, as Albon pits.
Perez complains of a "weird sound" from his engine when using high gears.
Catching the Ferraris on the hop, Russell is making good use of his softs as he builds a 2s lead, while Ocon, in sixth, is heading the expected DRS train.
A bold move sees Verstappen pass Alonso in Turn 4 for 7th.
Ricciardo and Magnussen having a great fight for 10th, as Verstappen is all over the back of Ocon.
Like Albon before him, Magnussen is shown the black and orange flag as he has car damage.
Another great move sees Verstappen pass Ocon under braking for the hairpin, as Perez is all over Alonso in the battle for 7th.
Next up for Verstappen is Hamilton who is 2.5s up the road.
On lap 9, Perez sweeps by Ocon as the Bulls now lie 6th and 7th. Out front, Russell leads Sainz by 2.4s.
Hamilton is advised that the softs runners - who include his teammate - are showing signs of deg on their fronts.
That will be of little comfort to the seven-time champ who has Verstappen (softs) all over his rear.
At the end of lap 11, as Verstappen sizes up Hamilton the Briton passes Norris at Turn 1. In Turn 3 the world champion passes the McLaren and sets about hunting down Hamilton again.
A laps later Perez sails past Norris to claim 6th.
Check out our Sunday gallery from the Hungaroring here.
On lap 14, Leclerc asks if his teammate can go any quicker. The first signs of dissent?
Tsunoda is the first driver to make a regular stop, the Japanese rejoining in last position.
Norris pits at the end of lap 14, as does Stroll. The Briton, who switches to mediums, rejoins in 16th.
Next time around Ricciardo and Vettel pit, the Australian rejoining in 16th.
Russell pits at the end of lap 16, after Ferrari had sent its crew out into the pitlane for Sainz. Verstappen also pits.
Russell rejoins in 6th and Verstappen in 8th. Crucially, the Briton rejoins just ahead of Alonso.
Next time around, at the end of lap 17, Sainz does pit. The Spaniard rejoins in sixth, behind Russell and Ocon.
After 18 laps, Perez, currently third, is the only driver still on softs, while Magnussen is the only driver on hards.
Perez pits, rejoining in 10th on mediums, as Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (23.082).
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 19, rejoining in 7th.
So, after 20 laps, Leclerc leads Russell, Sainz, Ocon, Verstappen, Alonso, Hamilton, Schumacher, Perez and Bottas. However, Leclerc, the Alpines and Schumacher have yet to stop.
At which point, Leclerc pits, rejoining in second, just ahead of his Ferrari teammate. Alonso also stops, as does Schumacher, rejoining in 11th and 15th, Alonso switches to hards.
"Slow introduction with these tyres," Leclerc is advised.
Ocon pits at the end of lap 23, the 2021 winner rejoining in 10th. However, he is immediately embroiled in a battle with his teammate and Ricciardo.
As the two Alpines squabble, Ricciardo passes the pair of them. Feisty stuff.
"Let's f****** go!" shouts the Australian.
Though leading, Russell is now coming under intense pressure from Leclerc who is just 0.7s behind.
At the end of lap 26, Bottas pits, rejoining in 14th.
On lap 28, Leclerc makes his move as they head into Turn 1, despite a wobble mid-corner, the Mercedes driver holds his position. The onus is on Leclerc to make a move that sticks.
As Alonso is passed by Stroll, the hards don't appear to be working for the Spaniard.
With the benefit of DRS Leclerc continues to hassle Russell but the Briton places his car perfectly. The Ferrari is almost alongside the Mercedes, but Russell is having none of it.
However, at the start of lap 31, a late lunge under braking for Turn 1 sees Leclerc through to take the lead.
Great driving by both.
"I could be 20s ahead of Norris," says Alonso, "I'm just trying to keep these (hard) tyres alive." The Alpine driver is now down in 12th after losing out to Vettel.
"It's drizzling more and more," warns Verstappen.
Tsunoda makes his second stop at the end of lap 34.
Moments after leaving the pits the Japanese spins at the chicane.
Having been passed by Stroll, Ocon is now under attack from the second Aston Martin, that of Vettel.
Magnussen pits, the Dane seemingly keen to get rid of his hards... a view no doubt shared by the other drivers who opted for the white-banded rubber.
Out front, after 37 laps, Russell is 5s down on Leclerc and falling into the clutches of Sainz, who has Verstappen on his tail, as Norris warns that it is now "extremely slippery".
As Verstappen pits at the end of lap 38, Vettel passes Ocon for tenth. The world champion rejoins in tenth on mediums.
"Box, box, box and push hard," Russell is told. Moments later the Briton duly obliges, as does Leclerc.
However, while Russell has fitted mediums, Leclerc has switched to hards. But why?
So Sainz leads from Hamilton, with Leclerc a further 10.5s behind. Verstappen is fourth, ahead of Perez and Russell.
Already struggling on his hards, Leclerc is passes by Verstappen much to the delight of the crowd. Another strategic screw-up by Ferrari?
Leclerc appears to thinks so. "These tyres are ****," he declares.
Oh no, Verstappen spins at Turn 13, and in the aftermath is passed by Leclerc and almost by Russell and Perez who are right behind.
"I dropped the throttle and just spun," says the world champion.
Perez subsequently pits, as do Norris and Schumacher.
Having brushed himself off, figuratively speaking, Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (22.128) as he closes on Leclerc again.
At the start of lap 45, having made his initial move in Turn 1, Verstappen passes Leclerc in Turn 3 to reclaim third.
"Soft tyres, soft tyres," Sainz is told. The Spaniard is currently 2.6s ahead of Hamilton.
Lap 46 sees Perez post a new fastest lap (21.940).
Alonso continues to complains about his hards, the Spaniard now 11th ahead of his Alpine teammate.
Ricciardo and Stroll pit at the end of lap 46, as do Gasly and Vettel.
Sainz pits at the end of lap 47, thereby handing the lead to Hamilton. The Spaniard rejoins in 5th on softs.
"I gave him plenty of room," says Stroll after he clashes with Ricciardo at Turn 2. The McLaren locked-up, hitting the Aston Martin causing it to spin just moments after leaving the pits.
Ricciardo is given a 5s time penalty for causing a collision.
After 50 laps of 70, Hamilton leads Verstappen (+ 3.5s), Leclerc (+ 3.8s), Russell (+ 0.6s), Sainz (+ 7.2s), Perez (+ 13s) and Norris (+ 23s).
Such is Leclerc's pace - or lack of it - on the hards, he is now under intense attack from Russell.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 51, thereby handing the lead to Verstappen. The seven-time champion rejoins in 5th on softs.
As Russell harries Leclerc we witness a reversal of the earlier scenario, with both drivers hard but fair and perfectly placing their cars.
Zhou and Tsunoda both pit at the end of lap 52.
At the start of lap 54, Russell makes his move heading into Turn 1, but despite his best efforts the Monegasque is unable to do anything about it.
Question is, can the youngster hold on to third even, for Sainz is right behind.
Check out our Sunday gallery from the Hungaroring here.
Indeed, at the end of the lap, Leclerc pits. Having switched to softs he rejoins in 6th.
Let's see Ferrari defend this strategic call.
Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (21.685), as he eyes the 7.1s gap to Sainz.
Lap 57 sees Leclerc post his best lap of the afternoon but he remains 6.3s down on Perez.
Meanwhile, Mattia Binotto leaves the pit-wall and walks out the back of the Ferrari garage... no doubt to avoid a clash with a certain Monegasque.
Lap 62 sees Hamilton just 0.344s down on Sainz who is 1.5s down on Russell.
"Our tyres are healthy," the Spaniard is assured.
Healthy or not, at the start of lap 63, Hamilton nails Sainz heading into Turn 1.
A race that promised so much for Ferrari looks as though it won't even provide a podium.
Hamilton closes on his Mercedes teammate, but will Russell merely roll over?
Hamilton is on softs and Russell mediums, and as a result of the improved grip the end is inevitable... the seven-time champion sweeps by his teammate at the start of lap 65.
Hamilton is warned that there could still be rain at the end of the race.
On lap 68, Bottas pulls off track at Turn 11. "No power, no power," he warns.
The VSC is subsequently deployed.
Previously, Vettel had passed his Aston Martin teammate.
Having queried the condition of his car, Leclerc is assured that everything is ok.
As the VSC is withdrawn, Magnussen makes a late stop and the rain begins to fall.
We are on the last lap.
Just a few corners to go, and as the intensity of the rain increases, Verstappen is tip-toeing around the track.
He crosses the line to claim his second win in as many weeks.
Hamilton is second, ahead of Russell, Sainz, Perez, Leclerc, Norris, Alonso, Ocon and Vettel.
Stroll is eleventh, ahead of Gasly, Zhou, Schumacher, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Albon, Latifi and Tsunoda.
"Strong start, good first stint but at the end on the mediums with the rain, it was difficult," admits Russell.
"We are definitely making progress," he adds. "We pitted early on both stints so you are trying to eke the tyres out, difficult position to be in."
"I was definitely struggling at the beginning," says Hamilton, "but bit by bit I got more comfortable with the balance. I got a really good start as well.
"The other guys have an edge but we are clearly closing the gap, hopefully we can bring some more in to the second half of the season and start fighting with them.
"I was hoping for rain at the end to challenge Max," he admits. "If the DRS had been okay yesterday, we'd have been in the fight for the win."
"I was hoping I could get close to a podium," admits Verstappen, "but we had a really good strategy, we were really reactive.
"Even with the 360, we won the race!" he grins. "I was battling a lot of guys, it was a lot of fun out there. Crazy race, very happy we won it."
Crazy, yes, but classis no.
While it was a brilliant comeback from Verstappen, and great performances from Russell and Hamilton, one has to wonder what on earth Ferrari was playing at.
In recent weeks we have seen Sainz and Leclerc leap to the team's defence over strategy calls that the rest of us questioned, but today there can be no excuses.
At a time the likes of Magnussen and Alonso couldn't wait to shed their hard tyres why on earth did the Maranello outfit elect to do the opposite.
Heading into this weekend, looking at the 63 points that separate Leclerc and Verstappen, we questioned the youngster's talk of still targeting the title, now that gap has increased to 80 points.
Without wishing to take anything away from Verstappen, Red Bull or Mercedes, this was Ferrari's race to lose... and - not for the first time - they did precisely that.
Check out our Sunday gallery from the Hungaroring here.