Lewis Hamilton wins 2013 Hungarian GP

Lewis Hamilton said he couldn’t win the Hungarian Grand Prix, despite starting from pole position. But he made a quick start off the line to hold P1 and managed to hang on for a well deserved win—his first for Mercedes AMG.

We were also told that the Hungaroring is notoriously difficult to pass on but we saw some great overtaking moves during this race right through the field.

The closing laps saw a great scrap between Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) for the minor podium positions. Kimi was able to hold Sebastian at bay to finish the race in P2.

Making his second great start in a row Mark Webber (Red Bull) started from P10 and improved to P7 by the end of the first lap. He bagn the race on new medium compound tyres, while all those in front were on used softs. Fresh tyres allowed Mark to stay out much longer on his opening stint and he led the race for several laps before making his first of three tyre stops.

With 10 laps to go, while in second place, Webber pitted for the final time taking on a brand new set of soft tyres. He rejoined the track in P4 some 12 seconds behind the Raikkonen–Vettel scrap but was unable to close enough ground to fight for a podium finish. Still, after his qualifying woes he should be happy with fourth.

Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) had a non-descript race and was never really in the hunt, in that context he may be happy with P5 today. However, we’re certain he won’t be happy with Ferrari’s current form.

In P6 was Romain Grosjean (Lotus) who, we think, was a little unlucky to be penalised for a great overtaking move on Jenson Button (McLaren). To complete the move Grosjean had all four wheels off the race track, ever so slightly, and was given a drive through penalty for his sins. He had shown good pace all race and had the package to fight for more.

Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) was barely sighted on the television feed all race and dropped from his starting position of eighth down to thirteenth. Crucially, he finished one place behind teammate Jean-Eric Vergne.

Formula 1 now heads into its mid-season break and will return for the Belgian Grand Prix in the last weekend of August.

2013 Hungarian Grand Prix final placings

1. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG – 70 Laps (25 pts)
2. Kimi Räikkönen Lotus – +10.9 secs (18 pts)
3. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing – +12.4 secs (15 pts)
4. Mark Webber Red Bull Racing – +18.0 secs (12 pts)
5. Fernando Alonso Ferrari – +31.4 secs (10 pts)
6. Romain Grosjean Lotus – +32.2 secs (8 pts)
7. Jenson Button McLaren – +53.8 secs (6 pts)
8. Felipe Massa Ferrari – +56.4 secs (4 pts)
9. Sergio Perez McLaren – +1 Lap (2 pts)
10. Pastor Maldonado Williams – +1 Lap (1 pt)
11. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber – +1 Lap
12. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso – +1 Lap
13. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso – +1 Lap
14. Giedo van der Garde Caterham – +2 Laps
15. Charles Pic Caterham – +2 Laps
16. Jules Bianchi Marussia – +3 Laps
17. Max Chilton Marussia – +3 Laps
18. Paul di Resta Force India – +4 Laps
19. Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG – +6 Laps

Retired/not classified
Valtteri Bottas Williams – +28 Laps
Esteban Gutierrez Sauber – +42 Laps
Adrian Sutil Force India – +51 Laps

Fastest lap
Mark Webber Red Bull Racing – 1:24.069 (Lap 61)

2013 F1 world championship – Drivers (top 10)

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing – 172
2. Kimi Räikkönen Lotus – 134
3. Fernando Alonso Ferrari – 133
4. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG – 124
5. Mark Webber Red Bull Racing – 105
6. Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG – 84
7. Felipe Massa Ferrari – 61
8. Romain Grosjean Lotus – 49
9. Jenson Button McLaren – 39
10. Paul di Resta Force India – 36

2013 F1 world championship – Constructors

1. Red Bull Racing-Renault – 277
2. Mercedes – 208
3. Ferrari – 194
4. Lotus-Renault – 183
5. Force India-Mercedes – 59
6. McLaren-Mercedes – 57
7. STR-Ferrari – 24
8. Sauber-Ferrari – 7
9. Williams-Renault – 1