Race Round-Up: What Happened in Hungary?

Verstappen Soars to Victory from P10 over Double Mercedes Podium as Ferrari Flounders in Dramatic Hungarian Grand Prix

Hashtag Hannah Schmitz Supremacy lived on in Hungary as Red Bull’s perfect strategy saw Verstappen take the checkered flag first despite starting from tenth on the grid.

Verstappen pitted a lap after polesitter George Russell (Lap 16) forcing Carlos Sainz to pit from the lead, with Charles Leclerc staying out until Lap 22.

Once Leclerc pitted (are you keeping track? this race really said TYRE! STRATEGY!), Russell regained the lead but it was short-lived as the speedy Ferrari of Carlos Hot Chili Pepper Sainz™ passed the Brit on Lap 31.

Verstappen, up to P4, pitted for mediums (stop #2) on Lap 39 for a crucial undercut on Sainz and an advantage over Leclerc.

At this point, Tifosi, Formula Fans and Foes watched the Ferrari pitwall make the most questionable strategic call of all time to pit Leclerc for *drum roll please* HARD? TYRES??? The maths weren’t mathing as the hard tyres were clearly the worst performing tyres of the day as demonstrated by the likes of Fernando Alonso and Estie Bestie Ocon who were complaining and struggling from the start.

Verstappen gained on his title “rival” (quotations for a reason) with ease (even after a 360 degree spin!) as Leclerc fell to P6, an abysmal end for the Monegasque who looked primed for a Ferrari 1-2 finish.

Lewis Hamilton finished second for the day after starting seventh on the grid, thanks to his overtakes over both of the Alpines and a tyre strategy ending his race on red-marked soft compound tyres. No team orders at Mercedes this year!

After starting on pole for the first time in his F1 career, George Russell finished a respectable P3 in Hungary thanks to the soft-medium-medium tyre strategy and a gift in the form of slow pit stops for Carlos Sainz who finished P4. It was a day to forget at Ferrari, but in all honesty, WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? AND DOES SOMEONE NEED TO BE LET GO?

Best of the Rest

Sainz was able to hold off the Red Bull of Sergio Perez by only a second, who finished P5 ahead of a very disappointed Charles Leclerc (P6). I should probably mention Charles pitted for the third time for soft tyres because the hards were *that* bad, but I’ve had enough pain for a lifetime just thinking about it.

The McLaren of Lando Norris finished seventh ahead of the Alpine duo of Fernando Alonso (P8) and Estie Bestie (P9). Sebastian Vettel got his elbows out against teammate Lance Stroll to take the final point for the day, a bit of redemption after their final lap tussle in Austria.

Looking Ahead

The grid is officially on summer break, besties! Keep your eyes peeled on Instagram for Pierre’s Hot Gasly Greek Summer™, try not to lose your mind over Silly Season Shenanigans, and meet me back here on August 26th when we returned to my beloved, Spa-Francorchamps!