F1 Race Recap: Hamilton Wins a Heater in Hungary
With the 2018 F1 season reaching its midpoint, ten teams and twenty drivers headed to Budapest for the final race before the summer break. A fair amount of rain made for a tricky qualifying performance, with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas securing a 1-2 lockout of the grid despite the slick conditions, with both Ferrari drivers hot on their heels in 3-4.
WHAT. A. SESSION. @LewisHamilton takes pole in a soaking wet Budapest!! @ValtteriBottas makes it an all Mercedes front row! Warriors in the wet!#HungarianGP 🇭🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/tLoQQYLLON
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) July 28, 2018
As race day arrived, the track temperature was scorching.
Already looking like a heater at the Hungaroring! Track temp is pushing 140°F🔥🔥🔥 #HugarianGP 🇭🇺 #DrivenByEachOther #F1 @MercedesAMGF1 https://t.co/74DuUGOrlj
— TIBCO Software (@TIBCO) July 29, 2018
Known for its short track and twisting turns, the Hungaroring presents few opportunities for overtakes. All eyes were on Hamilton and Bottas as the drivers took their positions on the grid.
LIGHTS OUT: Great start from the boys! Lewis leads away in P1, Valtteri defending beautifully to keep the Ferraris back! 🇭🇺 #HungarianGP
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) July 29, 2018
With quick starts from both drivers, they were able to maintain their positions through turn one and kept the Ferraris at bay. As Bottas tussled with Kimi Raikkonen, Hamilton began putting serious distance between his car and the rest of the pack early in the race. With a blistering-hot track, pit stops and tire selection became even more critical.
Lewis pushing on – pulling 5s clear of Valtteri in P2
The Finns’ keeping those red cars in his mirrors – 2s back!#HungarianGP 🇭🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/bGbDYvjoLp
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) July 29, 2018
In. In. In. 😉 Sharp stop from the boys and Lewis re-joins in P2!
VET stays out. 13s ahead of #LH44 and yet to stop… #HungarianGP 🇭🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/QNVJkrEbe4
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) July 29, 2018
As the laps passed by, Hamilton appeared downright unstoppable as the Ferraris worked together to break past Bottas. Vettel was able to sneak past, but not without some contact, damaging Bottas’s front wing.
ARGHHHH! VET and VB clatter together into Turn 2! 😩
Valtteri has damage! #HungarianGP 🇭🇺 #F1
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) July 29, 2018
With the loss of downforce resulting from the damage, Bottas wasn’t able to sustain his ferocious pace and dropped back to P5.
Valtteri’s car looks wounded, but he’s pushing on in these final laps! RIC closing in… #HungarianGP 🇭🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/ocguKNu8or
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) July 29, 2018
But even with Bottas behind them, the Ferraris were no match for Hamilton’s staggering pace and growing lead. Hamilton crossed the line, claiming his sixth Hungarian Grand Prix title.
GET IN THERE!!!! @LewisHamilton WINS the #HungarianGP in style!!!! YES!!!!@ValtteriBottas battles his way to P5 – how exciting was that!!!! #F1 pic.twitter.com/hwXZdxX3jy
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) July 29, 2018
TFW you win the #HungarianGP a sixth time…@MercedesAMGF1 @LewisHamilton #LH44 #DrivenByEachOther #TIBCOfast pic.twitter.com/tst3yPa7lG
— TIBCO Software (@TIBCO) July 29, 2018
Up next – the Belgian Grand Prix on August 26!
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