Hamilton equals F1 win record
LEWIS Hamilton has equalled one of Michael Schumacher’s many records, delivering a classic drive to become the first driver to complete a hat-trick of Hungarian Grand Prix wins.
The defending six-time champion, who won at the Hungaroring in 2018 and 2019, enlarged his overall total of Hungarian triumphs to eight, drawing level with Schumacher’s eight wins at the French Grand Prix for the most by any driver at a single race venue.
Hamilton controlled a tactical race from lights to flag, making light of changing conditions to deliver his 86th win, five short of Schumacher’s record of 91.
It was Hamilton’s second win this season, following victory at the Styrian Grand Prix a week earlier, and lifted him to the top of the drivers’ championship by a single point ahead of Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, who won the opening Austrian Grand Prix.
“Round 1 was multiple different punches that I wasn’t ready for,” said Hamilton, referring to the defeat in the season opener.
“But I have refocused and we’ve just been on point here right through the weekend.”
Max Verstappen was a remarkable second for Red Bull after his crew repaired severe damage to his car’s suspension on the grid caused when the Dutchman had crashed before the start. He held off a late attack by Bottas to stay second by fractions of a second.
“It wasn’t how I wanted it, of course, but the mechanics did an amazing job to fix the car so to pay them back with second place is great,” he said.
Bottas came home just metres behind, but ahead of Lance Stroll’s Racing Point, Alex Albon in the second Red Bull and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.
Sergio Perez was seventh in the second Racing Point, ahead of Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo of Renault.