Hamilton delivers Hungarian

From taking pole in teeming rain to seizing victory in blistering sunshine, Lewis Hamilton yesterday underlined his status at this Hungarian Grand Prix as Formula One’s man for all seasons.

Although Ferrari had the faster car, Mercedes had the shrewder strategy, timing his pit stops to perfection as the four-time world champion won by daylight to extend his lead over title rival Sebastian Vettel to a daunting 24 points.

Saluting to the heavens, Hamilton looked ominous in his dominance, his reputation as high priest of the Hungaroring reinforced by a recordbreaking sixth win at the circuit.

Now en route to a family holiday with mother Carmen, as he steels himself for a potentially explosive season run-in, starting at Spa in four weeks. He could have asked for no greater fillip ahead of the showdown to come, comfortably eclipsing Vettel at a circuit where Ferrari were expected to strike back with a vengeance.

On successive weekends, Hamilton has snatched wins he had little confidence of grasping.

First at Hockenheim, where he capitalised on Vettel crashing out while leading, then in Budapest, where, courtesy of a qualifying masterclass in the rain, he secured pole for a race where track position is paramount.

Hamilton, who was never seriously threatened — even with Vettel pursuing on fresher tyres — can boast the extraordinary feat of winning half the grands prix in Hungary he has entered.

He must now aim to correct an anomaly of no one since Michael Schumacher in 2004 following success in Budapest with championship glory in the same season.

The portents are encouraging. Ferrari may have the edge in pace, but Mercedes are showing sharper tactical acumen. Hamilton also has a habit of emerging even stronger from the summer. When he returned last year, he won five of the next six races.

“I could only have dreamt of being in the position we are in right now, considering where we stand compared to the Ferraris on pure performance,” Hamilton said.

“I’m so happy to go into the break with back-to-back wins, and we’ll prepare to make sure we come back even stronger. I’m not really the laydown-on-the-beach type. I’ll be doing activities, training and getting ready for the second half.”

For Ferrari, F1‘s four-week August hiatus has come at an opportune