Hamilton gambles and bold strategy reaps rewards in Budapest

could manage only eighth - the Finn’s afternoon scuppered by a first-lap collision with Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc - Hamilton has the equivalent of two-and-a-half victories in his pocket with just nine rounds remaining when the action resumes at SpaFrancorchamps on September 1.

“It felt like the steepest wall to climb when you come out that far behind,” said Hamilton.

“We talked about strategy this morning and they said that a two-stopper was not going to happen. I was like ‘jeez, I don’t know how this is going to work out’.

“I just had to put all doubt and question marks out of my mind and go for the best laps I could do without dropping any time whatsoever.

“I had one of the most consistent period of laps. The gap chopped down and I could see Max in my sights.

“The team are very calm when they talk about strategy, but for sure they were nervous as hell that it wasn’t going to work.

“It felt like a big gamble for us. It was a bold, risky strategy call from them. From me, it was just about doing the job. I just had to do the laps. Collectively it was exceptional by the team.”

Verstappen did not put a foot wrong after winning the charge from pole to the first corner. He was gracious in defeat.

“Lewis was on fire today,” said the Dutchman, 69 points adrift of Hamilton in the standings.

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel completed the podium places after he fought his way past team-mate Leclerc in the closing stages.

Carlos Sainz was fifth for McLaren, but British teenager Lando Norris finished a disappointing ninth after a slow pit stop.

It felt like a big gamble for us. It was a bold, risky strategy call from them. Collectively, it was exceptional by the team