Hungary GP Race Report

Another day in Hungary and another set of weather conditions; the race was set to be windy and cold with several drivers locking up wheels and driving off the track on the way to the grid.  Finally it was announced that heavy rain was expected, so all predictions were off.

Vestappen and Perez were very slow to take their place in the formation lap.  Russell's youth showed when he failed to back the pack up in response to this.

Hamilton complained of a vibration in his brakes on the grid.  Getting his reason for not besting his team mate in early, although as it turned out the race would come to him.  Russell made a good start from pole and held his position, then, suddenly, there was a Virtual Safety Car on Lap 2 to clear debris on the track from a collision between Albon and Vettel.  With new engines in their motors, the Red Bulls flew past the Alpines afterwards.  They kept on moving up the grid, with Norris going backwards.  On Lap 21, we heard some very sweary radio from Verstappen.  Possibly with some engine trouble, it was hard to hear.  He was told to try "Fail 20", yesterday it was "Fail 21".  The Alpines had fought off the grid and continued to fight as they circled the track.  It didn't benefit the team, as Ricciardo earned a few pennies of his salary, taking both cars in the same corner.  The race continued and half way through, after a few botched pit stops, LeClerc mounted his attack on race leader Russell.  You could see the Ferrari was quicker and Russell played every card he held.  Finally, all the DRS and battery boosts aligned and LeClerc was passed and into first place.

Next came the second round of pit stops.  The Red Bulls went early and Mercedes went later, which led to Crofty saying: "The race leader is now in 6th".  Ferrari surprised everyone apart from me by putting on hard tyres when they had not run well for anyone else.  I wasn't surprised because it's exactly what Ferrari would do; putting the hard tyres on or losing them or trying their new chocolate compound.  Never matter, Verstappen overtook LeClerc but then spun and lost the place back, with Russell taking advantage of a surprised Perez behind his team mate.  Inevitably Verstappen did get back past LeClerc.  Brundle kept telling us how Ferrari have a mistake with the tyres.  Verstappen announced a new hip hop sensation "Little Drizzles".  Was the heavy rain here at last?

Further down the pack, Ricciardo locked up his tyres and nudged Stroll, sending him spinning and earning himself a 5 second penalty.   It's like he's composing the longest resignation letter ever.

For quite a while, Hamilton led the race but he was out by himself and we didn't see much of him.  He'll be happy with that on the records for this year though.  The hard tyres on the Ferrari made even the struggling Mercedes look good as Russell overtook LeClerc.  Hamilton was able to carve his way past Perez and Sainz and LeClerc found himself in 6th.  With 3 laps to go, Alonso was told that there would be rain on the last lap.  Next, Bottas retired at the side of the track and brought out a Virtual Safety Car.

In the end, it looked like an easy first place for Verstappen and I couldn't really tell you how he ended up there.  Red Bull were happily surprised with their win.  LeClerc will be wondering what he has to do to catch a break and whether his team are with him or against him.  Luckily he has a nice long holiday now to ponder this.  There's a seat going at Aston Martin.

There was lots of action during the race but were was the helmet cam?  It was back in abundance prior to the race but nothing during the race.  What a shame.