Category: Formula 1

Jenson Button (McLaren) found the perfect way to celebrate his 200th F1 race overnight by winning a rain-affected Hungarian Grand Prix. In the early to middle stages of the race he and teammate Lewis Hamilton entertained with some great wheel-to-wheel racing in slippery conditions. Each of the drivers made mistakes with the other there to pounce.

In the end poor tyre strategy and a stop-go penalty for obstructing traffic while recovering from a spin cost Lewis Hamilton any chance of the win, and he did well to finish fourth.

Championship leader Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) made a good start from pole position, but ran wide later in the first stint to allow Hamilton to inherit the lead. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) also endured a tough race, including an uncharacteristic poor start, and was happy to finish in third place

Mark Webber (Red Bull) followed form by losing two places off the starting line, but was able to work his way back through the field with good tyre strategy. Unfortunately, late in the race, he was spooked by a quick rain shower and came in for intermediate tyres which he changed after just one flying lap. He was in a creditable fourth place after rejoining from his fifth pit stop. But Hamilton, who stopped six times, easily closed the gap and made the pass.

Daniel Ricciardo (Hispania Racing) enjoyed his highest finish in a Grand Prix so far. He placed eighteenth, two places ahead of his teammate Tonio Liuzzi.

Vettel managed to extend the lead over his closest rivals. His 234 points gives him a comfortable cushion over Webber (149pts), Hamilton (146pts) and Alonso (145pts). Red Bull, meanwhile, has an astonishing 103pt lead over its closest competitor in the manufacturers’ championship.

There’s a three week break now until the Belgian Grand Prix in late August.

[Pic: Ferrari]

Lewis Hamilton won the German Grand Prix overnight, helping to ease the perceived pressure on McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) relegated Red Bull off the top two steps for the first time in 2011, while Mark Webber (Red Bull) managed third place. In some respects it was a disappointing result for Mark after he started from pole position.

All three men on the podium led the race at varying stages and in the first half of the race were nose to tail. It was after the second round of pitstops that Hamilton was able to slowly build a race-winning lead.

It’s the second race in a row now where the Red Bulls have not had the race pace to hold off their competitors. The second half of the 2011 season could have some real excitement if Ferrari and McLaren can remain consistent on Sundays.

Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) registered his worst result for the year finishing fourth. A position he claimed on the second last lap in pit lane when he and Felipe Massa (Ferrari) came in to make a compulsory tyre change.

Vettel (216pts) still enjoys a very comfortable 77 point lead in the drivers’ championship over Webber (139pts). The fight for second is hotting up, however, with Hamilton (134pts) and Alonso (130pts) close behind. In the race for the constructors’ title Red Bull would have to suffer a total loss of performance to squander their 112pt cushion.

Daniel Ricciardo finished the race in 19th position and was the sole finisher for HRT following Liuzzi’s retirement on lap 37. The young Aussie is making steady progress but is hungry for more. It’s probably fair to say many were expecting his performance relative to his teammate to be much closer. With more experience let’s hope he closes the gap further.

You can read the full post-race press conference, courtesy of the FIA, after the break.

[Pic: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes]