So-cool Lew turns screw
LEWIS HAMILTON showed nerves of steel to clinch a record-breaking fifth Hungarian Grand Prix and surge ahead of Nico Rosberg in the world championship race.
The Briton’s hopes of a fourth driver’s title have enjoyed a remarkable revival over the past six races with Rosberg’s 43-point advantage evaporating as his Mercedes team-mate turned the screw.
And after surviving a four-way fight for the lead as the field accelerated off the line at the Hungaroring, Hamilton now finds himself in the championship lead for the first time this season, six points ahead of Rosberg.
The defending champion, celebrating right, beat polesitter Rosberg on the long run down to turn one on the opening lap and from there controlled the race.
It was a masterful victory and one which never appeared in doubt after arguably his best start of the season.
Hamilton has now won at the Hungaroring on more occasions than any other driver in the sport’s history.
And he said his comeback started after the Mercedes pair crashed out on the opening lap at the Spanish Grand Prix.
After winning five of the six ensuing races, Hamilton will head to Germany next week – the final round before the summer break – in charge of the title race.
“I think Spain was definitely a turning point,” said Hamilton.
“It didn’t feel like it, but it was rock bottom. The only way was up. I just managed to get my head together, and get my s*** together and get on with it.”
The early part of Hamilton’s title defence was hit by mechanical issues and bad luck. Mercedes swapped a number of mechanics from his championship-winning side of the garage to that of Rosberg’s ahead of the new campaign, and Hamilton also faced starting at least one of the remaining 10 races from the back of the grid under the complex engine rules.
“I have less engines, my mechanics had been changed, and all these different things didn’t seem to be working,” said Hamilton. “But since Spain we have pulled together.”
The champion proved again that when it comes to wheel-to-wheel racing few can match him. After being forced to settle for second on the grid, Rosberg having snatched pole as his team-mate backed off when Fernando Alonso spun in qualifying, Hamilton had his revenge by the first corner. With the two Mercedes duelling down the centre of the track, the Red Bull of Daniel Ricciardo opted for the outside line as his team-mate, Max Verstappen, dived up the inside of Hamilton. By the time they emerged from turn one, the Briton led, with Rosberg dropping to third after dicing with Ricciardo before nipping past the Aussie at turn two. “The start was everything,” said Hamilton, as he reflected on his 48th career win. “I had one of the Red Bulls on the inside so I was pressured quite a lot into turn one.” Rosberg said: “It was all down to the start in the end. I tried to put all the pressure possible on Lewis, but of course it is not possible to pass on this track.” Jenson Button had a nightmare in his McLaren, suffering first a brake problem and then a drive-through penalty for illegal radio communication. “Fantastic,” said Button over the radio. “Race from hell this is going to be.” It lasted until he was told to retire seven laps from the end. Fellow Brit Jolyon Palmer was heading for his first-ever point only to drop from 10th to 12th after a costly spin. Hamilton, by contrast, barely put a foot wrong. If he continues in this form, the points gap to Rosberg is only heading in one direction.