Hungarian Grand Prix race results: Lewis Hamilton dominates; Daniel Ricciardo fights to fourth

James Pavey

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Hungarian Grand Prix race results: Lewis Hamilton dominates; Daniel Ricciardo fights to fourth image

Lewis Hamilton cruised to victory in a pulsating Hungarian Grand Prix to extend his championship lead.

The pole man led home title rival Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen after Valtteri Bottas slumped to fifth despite holding second for the majority of the race.


 

A series of clashes for Bottas - first with Vettel, then Daniel Ricciardo - gave the race life in the closing laps.

Ricciardo's fourth place was a welcome return after the Australian started from 12th.

MORE: Hungarian Grand Prix: Results, standings, how to watch, session times, form guide

Max Verstappen's charge was curtailed by another engine failure, with Red Bull left scratching their heads once again.

However, all eyes were on Hamilton, who extended his lead atop the standings to 24 points ahead of the summer break.

HAMILTON WINS THE START

Hamilton got away to a clean start ahead of Bottas as Vettel dropped behind Raikkonen, with Verstappen jumping a fast-starting Carlos Sainz.


However, Vettel forced his way past Raikkonen at turn two as the field settled behind them, with Ricciardo steadying after contact with Marcus Ericsson at the first corner.


Ericsson's teammate, young gun Charles Leclerc, was forced to retire at the end of the first lap with a mechanical issue.


VERSTAPPEN FIRST CONTENDER TO DROP OUT

Cruising behind the Mercedes and Ferrari quartet, Verstappen was set to play a key role in the race.

However, on lap six, the Dutchman's Red Bull ground to a halt with an engine failure.


Verstappen blasted the situation over team radio: "Can I not just go ahead, I don’t f***ing care if this engine blows up... What a f***ing joke all the time."

RICCIARDO CUTS THROUGH THE FIELD

Starting 12th, Ricciardo fell to 16th following contact with Ericsson at the first corner.

However, the Australian ticked off car after car, lap after lap to sit pretty in fifth after 28 laps.





STRATEGY BATTLE LIGHTS UP

On lap 15, Ferrari were the first to blink, pitting Raikkonen from fourth.


A lap later, Bottas boxed from second, and emerged six seconds ahead of his countryman.


It would take a further ten laps before race leader Hamilton took his first stop, with Ferrari under pressure to apply the right strategy for new leader Vettel.


Vettel and Ferrari were intent on playing the long game - however, fighting through traffic saw creating a gap over Hamilton become fruitless - with Sainz needing nine blue flags to move over.


However, on lap 40, Vettel finally pitted - but rattle gun drama ensured the German was relegated to third behind Bottas.


VETTEL PUSHES BOTTAS

The Ferrari was the faster car - but the go-kart-like nature of the Hungaroring meant Vettel had to work over Bottas to try and claim second, with Hamilton streaking away.


Stoffel Vandoorne retired with a gearbox issue on lap 51, with a virtual safety car called.


As it ended, Vettel again ranged up behind Bottas, with the four-time world champion working over the Finn as they battled through more traffic.


Before too long, Raikkonen joined the party.


Later, as they began their 65th laps, Vettel got a good run down the straight and had momentum down at the first corner. Bottas defended down the inside, forcing Vettel to the outside, who swung to the inside to take the ascendancy towards the second turn.

However, Bottas hit the rear of the Ferrari and dropped to fourth, with Ricciardo keen on picking up the scraps.


The Aussie looked odds-on to pass the ailing Mercedes, and as Ricciardo moved to the outside at turn one with three laps remaining, there was more chaos as Bottas understeered into the Red Bull.


HAMILTON WINS; EXTENDS CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD

Hamilton was untouchable all day, cruising to the win with over 17 seconds in hand.

It was damage limitation for Vettel, who finished second ahead of Raikkonen.


 

A disappointed Bottas fell behind Ricciardo, who finished fourth after starting 12th.

Pierre Gasly finished a fine sixth, ahead of Kevin Magnussen, birthday boy Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz and Romain Grosjean.

2018 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX: RACE RESULTS

Position Driver Constructor Margin
1stLewis HamiltonMercedes 
2ndSebastian VettelFerrari+17.123
3rdKimi RaikkonenFerrari+20.101
4thDaniel RicciardoRed Bull+46.419
5thValtteri BottasMercedes+1:00.000
6thPierre GaslyToro Rosso+1:13.273
7thKevin MagnussenHaas+1 LAP
8thFernando AlonsoMcLaren+1 LAP
9thCarlos SainzRenault+1 LAP
10thRomain GrosjeanHaas+1 LAP
11thBrendon HartleyToro Rosso+1 LAP
12thNico HulkenbergRenault+1 LAP
13thEsteban OconForce India+1 LAP
14thSergio PerezForce India+1 LAP
15thMarcus EricssonSauber+2 LAPS
16thSergey SirotkinWilliams+2 LAPS
17thLance StrollWilliams+2 LAPS
DNFStoffel VandoorneMcLarenGearbox
DNFMax VerstappenRed BullPower loss
DNFCharles LeclercSauberSuspension

James Pavey