Nightmare for Ferrari as Verstappen wins in Hungary

Tuesday, 2 August 2022 03:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium with a trophy after winning the race - REUTERS

Reuters: Red Bull’s Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen won the Hungarian Grand Prix, from 10th on the starting grid and despite a spin, on Sunday as Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc suffered another strategy nightmare.

Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton finished second with Mercedes teammate George Russell, on pole for the first time in his F1 career, third in a repeat of the previous race in France.

Leclerc led for a while but ended up sixth as his tyre strategy unravelled and Ferrari again faced accusations that tactical blunders were handing both championships to Red Bull on a plate. Reigning champion Verstappen now goes into the August break with a massive 80-point lead -- more than three race wins -- over Leclerc after 13 of 22 races.

“Amazing result. Who would have thought when we woke up that we were going to win the race,” the Dutch driver said over the team radio after taking the chequered flag in tricky conditions at the Hungaroring.

“That is right up there with your best,” said team boss Christian Horner.

“Unbelievable. Best way to go into the summer break and it doesn’t feel anything like summer today, I tell you,” he added, with rain an ever-present threat and drops falling as the race ended. The win was Verstappen’s eighth of the season and 28th of his career.

He now has 258 points to Leclerc’s 178 and has only once finished off the podium in his last 10 races.