Ten minutes before the end of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen’s race engineer cautiously asks: “Are you all right?” It can’t hurt to follow up when a racing driver has been lonely driving away from everyone all afternoon. In the end, the Formula 1 world champion separated from second-placed Lando Norris in the McLaren by more than half a minute. Twelfth Red Bull victory in a row, eleventh this year, that’s a record. For Verstappen it is the seventh success in a row.
The Dutchman has long been used to racing himself, but he only has one word for the series’ successes: “Incredible!” His teammate Sergio Perez will be third on Sunday. Calling the Mexican a follower in the World Cup table is somewhat difficult, however, as he is already 110 points behind.
Lewis Hamilton’s dream of being the first driver to prevent Red Bull Racing from winning this season is extinguished in sync with the start lights at the Hungaroring. The Mercedes driver had to wait for a pole position for more than a year and a half, enjoying the feeling he had been missing for so long from Saturday to Sunday: “It felt like my first pole ever.” It was the 104th of his career, and he spontaneously dedicated it to the thousands of Mercedes cars that had spent many months making the Silver Arrow technically fit again.
But just this time Hamilton missed the start. Too nervous in the unfamiliar situation? The side-by-side duel up to the first corner with Max Verstappen was lost from the start, and a little later the record world champion apologized to his team over the radio: “Sorry, boys.” Consolation comes back: “Don’t worry, it’s going to be a long, hot race.” In which Mercedes is about at least getting on the podium. Because in addition to Verstappen, Hamilton is also swallowed up by McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri and shortly afterwards by his teammate Norris. Finally found confidence in the car, and then spoiled everything again with too much self-confidence – in the end Hamilton was only fourth, a second and a half missing from the podium.
Seventy laps at 30 degrees air and 50 degrees asphalt temperature, that exhausts the people and sizzles the rubber bands. Tire whisperers are therefore in demand at the Hungaroring, which is considered a boredom Grand Prix, but will remain on the Formula 1 calendar until 2032 – conversion measures are promised. Until then, Verstappen and his RB19 will continue to lead the way as they did on Sunday, although the Dutchman initially struggled with the new underbody and the modified rear wing. But if you’re so lonely at the top, you also have time to adjust to new conditions. In any case, there is little doubt that Red Bull Racing’s superiority will continue. “We have to be realistic,” Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff warned before the race and hoped to have “a little fun”. On Sunday he is most likely to be prepared by George Russell, who makes it from 18th to sixth place.
Hamilton despairs as the competition catches up
Verstappen’s solo efforts always open up the chance for the cameramen to take more care of the rest of the field. McLaren seems to be the surprise of the summer, the papaya cars are the second force again. The completely renewed vehicle concept with a modified rear axle seems to be working. For Aston Martin, the promoted team at the beginning of the season, it’s towards the rear midfield. At Ferrari, as is so often the case, discussions with the drivers about the right strategy in the race and also the breakdowns are piling up – first the drinking tube to the helmet is too short, then the first pit stop goes haywire. Daniel Ricciardo, meanwhile, pulled himself out of the affair with his comeback after more than half a year as a test driver in qualifying and won the qualifying duel against Yuki Tsunoda in the other Alpha Tauri with 13th place. In the race, the Australian defended his 13th place, one place ahead of Nico Hulkenberg from Emmerich in the Haas-Ferrari. A decent start.
Ricciardo’s appearance also seems to have woken Sergio Perez, the unloved number two at Red Bull Racing. The Mexican had another disastrous start to the weekend but with Ricciardo’s ambitions for promotion to a top team, the fighting spirit is back. Perez keeps climbing up from the disappointing ninth place on the grid, and his racing car is set up for the long race and not for a fast qualifying lap. Already in the middle of the race, the desperate Hamilton was lying in front of him, annoyed and asking his engineer: “How can it be that the McLaren are driving away from us like this? Where am I losing the time?” Answer: engine, heat, straights. Red Bull, on the other hand, cheers on Perez with radio messages: “Close the gap. The podium is in.”
The last round of pit stops after two thirds of the distance brings the decision in the private duels. Hamilton should drive faster, the command post demands, in order to maybe get a podium place after all. The driver almost has to laugh: “It just doesn’t get any faster.” Perez and Piastri are over when the Briton gets fresh tires for the last time. The spectators don’t break a sweat or even get into ecstasy, even when they’re fully concentrated. Both Alpine racers retired early, both Alfa Romeos a shadow of their qualifying performance, both Williams decent but without a chance.
When there were only eleven laps left, the TV director looked ahead again: Sergio Perez was only three seconds behind Norris. The humiliation of the competition through a Red Bull double success is spared everyone. For this time.