F1 Race Recap: Hamilton Wins a Heater in Hungary

By
Mac Jaehnert
-
2018 Großer Preis von Ungarn, Sonntag - Wolfgang Wilhelm
Reading Time: < 1 minute

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.

https://twitter.com/MercedesAMGF1/status/1023208301314695168

As race day arrived, the track temperature was scorching.

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.

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.

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.

With the loss of downforce resulting from the damage, Bottas wasn’t able to sustain his ferocious pace and dropped back to P5.

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.

Up next – the Belgian Grand Prix on August 26!

Learn more about TIBCO’s partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport that provides the team with a data-driven competitive edge.

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