Max Verstappen claims victory at Hungarian Grand Prix as Ferrari implode again

• Verstappen seals comeback win from 10th on the grid

• Hamilton finishes second and team-mate Russell third

• Ferrari mess up strategy again as Leclerc falls to sixth

• Former race director Michael Masi received death threats

During a season where Ferrari and Charles Leclerc’s title challenge has consistently faltered, it should come as no surprise that their final act before the summer break would be to leave the Hungaroring with an even greater championship deficit.

Max Verstappen’s stunning comeback victory from 10th at the Hungarian Grand Prix means he now leads Leclerc by a mammoth 80 points in the standings with nine rounds remaining. Leclerc finishing a lowly sixth makes any chance of a Ferrari title turnaround almost fantastical.

That Ferrari leave Hungary scratching their heads and licking their wounds is one thing, but the manner and frequency of their implosions must surely hurt, especially after blowing another opportunity to claw themselves back into contention.

With Leclerc starting third behind team-mate Carlos Sainz and Mercedes’ surprise pole-sitter George Russell, Ferrari looked likely for the win and to eat into Red Bull’s advantage. Indeed, damage limitation must have been the aim for Verstappen on Sunday morning, after a power unit issue in qualifying left him starting 10th. Instead, his searing pace helped him take an eighth win of the season, finishing ahead of the two Mercedes cars of Lewis Hamilton and Russell.

By lap 10, Verstappen had moved up to sixth, 2.5 seconds behind Hamilton and 10 behind race leader Russell. A third of the race in, he became a genuine contender for the win.  The Dutchman even had enough pace to burn that he could afford to overtake Leclerc on lap 40, spin, lose the place and then regain it five laps later. He attributed that rare mistake to a clutch issue that “caught him out”, but combined with his engine problems it demonstrates a huge contrast between his fortunes and Leclerc's.

At the chequered flag, Ferrari did not even have a car on the podium, with their race falling apart through more strategy errors. The decision to put Leclerc on the hard compound tyres at his second pit stop seemed baffling and ultimately compromised his race. His pace on the hard tyres - which should have taken him to the end - hampered him so much that he pitted again just 15 laps later, coming out behind even the Red Bull of Sergio Perez, who was never in contention for victory.

However, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto denied that their strategy was a decisive factor.

“Certainly we didn't have the performance we were expecting. The tyres we were using, soft, medium or hard, I think the performance of our car was not as expected. When the car is not performing well... then it's difficult to have the right speed and the right pace,” he said.

When asked why the team chose the hard tyres for Leclerc’s third stint when the Alpine cars and Kevin Magnussen were obviously struggling on them, Binotto defended his team.

“We knew that the hard tyre had some warm-up difficulties. Overall they didn't work as we were expecting, I think because the car wasn't working as expected.

“Sometimes we make mistakes. The entire team is great and I am fully supporting them because I trust them.”

At times Leclerc’s faltering title attempt has felt like a cruel and unusual punishment. Even if you take away his team’s strategic errors, he would still be in with a shout of challenging for glory. Add in reliability issues, and his own mistakes, and the gap would be smaller still.

There was no sympathy from Red Bull’s Horner, though, who said that there was “not one ounce” of him that wished for a title fight more like 2021’s epic battle with Mercedes.

“Last year was a heavyweight bout that went 22 rounds. I prefer not to have to go through that again,” he said.

After a second consecutive double podium, Mercedes are now remarkably just 30 points behind Ferrari, despite their prolonged struggles.

Although this matches what they did at Paul Ricard in the last round, this was undoubtedly Mercedes’ strongest performance across a whole race weekend. Their result here was on merit and did not rely on the retirement or misfortune of their closest competitors. They are yet to win a race, but they at least head into the summer break with well-founded optimism.

“It's an amazing way to go into the break,” Hamilton said after the race. “Hopefully we will bring some more [pace] into the second half. Either way, two seconds in a row I'm really happy.

“I really want to acknowledge my team who have continued to push and never give up through this tough year. The other guys still have a bit of an edge and we're closing.”

For Russell, who battled with Sainz in the opening stages before eventually falling behind Leclerc, his victory hopes faded after his first pit stop as Ferrari and then Hamilton found pace on divergent strategies.

“Pole position and P3, a lot to be proud about.,” Russell said.  “There's no doubt we're making progress. As a team we were finishing almost a minute behind the race win at the start of the season, now it's 10 seconds in the last couple of races.

“If we can continue on that path we'll definitely be in the hunt. We as a team have a lot of confidence and faith in ourselves.”

Final positions after race (70 laps)

1. Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1hr 39mins 35.912secs

2. Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP +7.834

3. George Russell (Gbr) Mercedes GP +12.337

4. Carlos Sainz Jr. (Spa) Ferrari +14.579

5. Sergio Perez (Mex) Red Bull +15.688

6. Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari +16.047

7. Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren +1:18.300

8. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Alpine

9. Esteban Ocon (Fra) Alpine

10. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Aston Martin

11. Lance Stroll (Can) Aston Martin

12. Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia AlphaTauri

13. Guanyu Zhou (Chn) Alfa Romeo Racing

14. Mick Schumacher (Ger) Haas F1

15. Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) McLaren

16. Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1

17. Alexander Albon (Tha) Williams

18. Nicholas Latifi (Can) Williams

19. Yuki Tsunoda (Jpn) Scuderia AlphaTauri

Not Classified: Valtteri Bottas (Fin)

Fastest Lap: Lewis Hamilton, 1min 21.386secs on lap 57

Hungarian Grand Prix: as it happened

04:00 PM

Updated constructor standings

Ferrari lose more ground... to Mercedes and Red Bull.

03:59 PM

Updated driver standings

Surely no hope of a competitive championship now.

03:59 PM

George Russell on a good, but slightly disappointing, third

03:58 PM

Lewis Hamilton on his second second place in a row

03:57 PM

Max Verstappen speaks after another win

03:46 PM

Hungarian GP - Top 10

1. VER

2. HAM

3. RUS

4. SAI

5. PER

6. LEC

7. NOR

8. ALO

9. OCO

10. VET

03:44 PM

MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE 2022 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX

The title is almost a formality. He will increase his lead to 80 points with only nine rounds left. Hamilton in second with the fastest lap bonus point. Russell in a creditable third.

03:42 PM

FINAL LAP

The rain is significant enough for DRS to be disabled but it will surely not be enough to stop Verstappen from an excellent comeback drive.

03:41 PM

Lap 69 of 70 - Verstappen leads Hamilton under VSC

The VSC will end this lap but with no full SC that should be it. Though Russell says "it's raining hard at the moment". Is there a sting in the tail yet? I doubt it.

03:38 PM

Lap 68 of 70 - Bottas has pulled over by the side of the road

In the middle sector I think. That will at least be a VSC if not a full SC. And if that is the case the end of the race, most likely.

VSC deployed. 

03:37 PM

Lap 67 of 70 - Verstappen leads Hamilton by 10.7s

Russell's main aim should be keeping the podium from Sainz. He was four tenths slower the last lap and is currently 2.3s ahead. It's far from guaranteed.

03:36 PM

Lap 66 of 70 - Top six and gaps

1. VER

2. HAM +10.8

3. RUS +12.9

4. SAI +14.7

5. PER +20.5

6. LEC +23.9

It's hard to describe how bad a day this is for Ferrari. If Leclerc finishes behind even Perez. Well. I don't really know what to say.

03:35 PM

Lap 65 of 70 - Hamilton gets Russell for second!

He has had rapid pace in this stint on these tyres. Russell fought well there but didn't make it too difficult for his team-mate.

Five and a bit laps to go... 11 seconds the gap to leader Verstappen. Not sure if Russell would have moved out of the way first of all it would have changed the outcome.

03:34 PM

Lap 64 of 70 - Hamilton still fying here

Will Mercedes have their drivers fight? It looks like it... Russell hasn't moved over when he could have done.  Neither can challenge Verstappen for the win, though, even if Hamilton is 1.3s a lap quicker. 10.8s the gap from Hamilton to leader Verstappen.

03:32 PM

Lap 63 of 70 - Hamilton takes Sainz for third!

Hamilton nearly got his nose alongside the rear wheels of Sainz at the final turn! From them on it was a piece of cake with the aid of DRS. Simple stuff, but significant stuff. Mercedes now second and third on track and on merit, with no retirements ahead of them.

Hamilton is now going to hunt down Russell...

03:31 PM

Lap 62 of 70 - Hamilton still showing good pace on these softs

Sainz is now approaching backmarkers at the end of the lap. It means he might get DRS
(as well as Hamilton) but he could also get caught out.

He doesn't get DRS... will he keep the place? Doubtful...

03:30 PM

Lap 61 of 70 - Verstappen extends his lead

He has this sewn up, surely. Sainz now within 1.6s of Russell but he has a bigger problem behind: Hamilton, who has DRS.

03:28 PM

Lap 60 of 70 - Verstappen leads Russell by nine seconds

Fair to say that Russell has maximised the machinery beneath him today. Very difficult to argue that Ferrari have done that in any way today... or even this season.

03:27 PM

Lap 59 of 70 - Top 10

1. VER

2. RUS

3. SAI

4. HAM

5. PER

6. LEC

7. NOR

8. LO

9. OCO

10. BOT

The messages on the timing screen says it's raining trackside. Again it is nothing significant, though it does look heavier than it has been all day.

03:26 PM

Lap 58 of 70 - Norris driving a fairly solitary race in seventh

Couldn't really do much more in this car, really. Started fourth but the two Red Bulls and one Mercedes behind him are in a different league.

03:24 PM

Lap 57 of 70 - Updated top six and gaps after that Leclerc stop

1. VER

2. RUS +8.4

3. SAI +10.6

4. HAM +16.8

5. PER +25.6

6. LEC +33.0

Hamilton flying at the moment. 1.4s quicker than Sainz ahead of him that last lap. I think Verstappen will simply be able to manage his tyres until the end here.

03:22 PM

Lap 56 of 70 - Leclerc comes out in sixth and on the soft tyres

Where is he going to finish up here?  He needs to make up 14 seconds on Hamilton in around as many laps to even get fourth...

03:21 PM

Lap 55 of 70 - This very much feels like another Ferrari strategy "masterclass"

I don't think they are even doing the basic things that well, let along the marginal things that will give them victory. Yet again they have thrown away an excellent position. Yes, Verstappen has had a rapid car and has driven well from 10th but it has been too easy for him. And he spun!

03:20 PM

Lap 54 of 70 - Russell can't really get close enough to try a move into turn one

Russell is much close in the final turn this time, right on his rear wing. Leclerc got a bit squirrelly on exit and that gives Russell a chance. He has to work for the spot in the braking zone, going around the outside and into second!

Verstappen is still 8.1s up the road...

Leclerc told to box. Ouch. From the hard tyres. 

03:18 PM

Lap 53 of 70 - Russell can't really get close enough to try a move into turn one

Verstappen leads Leclerc by a full seven seconds now. But can he go to the end on the medium tyres? Almost certainly, yes. But will it be quick enough? He's lapping a fair bit quicker than the Ferrari at the moment, so nothing to worry about currently.

03:17 PM

Lap 52 of 70 - Russell thinks about a move into turn one

But only jinks as they enter the braking zone. Hamilton comes out on a set of soft tyres. Leclerc is really clinging on to second here. They are approaching more backmarkers.

03:15 PM

Lap 51 of 70 - Russell gunning for Leclerc now

He's very cloe at the start of this lap as they pick off the backmarkers... not sure if Leclerc was caught out by them or not.

Sainz the fastest man on the track at the moment on his soft tyres. Hamilton is told to pit at the end of this lap. 

03:14 PM

Lap 50 of 70 - Still 21 laps to go

Will Verstappen's tyres hang on? You could say the same for Russell but I doubt that the Englishman has taken as much life out of his.

Here's the current top 10:

1. HAM

2. VER

3. LEC

4. RUS

5. SAI

6. PER

7. NOR

8. ALO

9. OCO

10. BOT

03:13 PM

Lap 49 of 70 - Hamilton now leads

Though he will be stopping again for soft tyres as he has yet to run on anything other than a medium. Wonder what he can do with a late burst? He could well get Sainz with a tyre advantage.

03:11 PM

Lap 48 of 70 - Slow stop for Sainz, who goes onto the softs

More than four seconds. He stopped first so if Hamilton stops now the Mercedes would probably still be behind.

Sainz came out about nine or so seconds behind Russell. Russell is now lapping similarly to Leclerc.

03:10 PM

Lap 47 of 70 - Top six and gaps

1. SAI

2. HAM +2.2

3. VER +11.1

4. LEC +13.4

5. RUS +14.9

6. PER  +37.8

Not the greatest day for Perez.  Verstappen reiterates the light drizzle that has persisted around this track. In comes Sainz from the lead. 

03:08 PM

Lap 46 of 70 - Leclerc on the hard tyres here

And that could come back to him. Verstappen has probably used a fair bit of his tyre life closing in on Leclerc, overtaking him and then spinning and having to do it all again...

Hamilton showing some good pace relative to Sainz here.

03:07 PM

Lap 45 of 70 - Sainz leads Hamilton by 3.4s

Verstappen within DRS range on the pit straight again! He doesn't get the Ferrari at the first corner but then does immediately after! He went deep on the outside and then optimised his exit, switching to the inside line to turn two and is back into third. That Red Bull is rapid today.

03:05 PM

Lap 44 of 70 - Verstappen is right up onto the back of Leclerc already

He sets another fastest lap of the race. I think Russell's hopes of victory now rely on something unexpected happening, I'm afraid.

03:04 PM

Lap 43 of 70 - Top six and gaps

1. SAI

2. HAM +4.4

3. LEC +17.1

4. VER +17.9

5. RUS +19.8

6. PER  +42.6

Sainz and Hamilton have only stopped once.

03:03 PM

Lap 42 of 70 - Verstappen spins at the end of the lap!

Lost the rear end on exit at the penultimate turn. He gets it going again but loses a place to Leclerc and then nearly Russell! How costly could that be for this race? Is it slippery out there?

03:02 PM

Lap 41 of 70 -  Verstappen takes Leclerc!

And that is effectively for the race lead! He has rapid pace on these fresh mediums, gets DRS on the pit straight and  takes the inside line, later on the brakes, to the delight of the crowd. Leclerc squeeze him right to the outside of the track but Verstappen committed.

"These tyres are ****," Leclerc says soon after.

03:00 PM

Lap 40 of 70 - In comes leader Leclerc

It's not a rapid stop but it'll do. Russell's was a few tenths quicker but Verstappen stopping first and punching in the fastest sector times in sectors two and three means he takes Russell for fifth! Leclerc has gone onto the hards but Russell onto the mediums. That's a bit of an odd decision, when he was leading. Russell could have tried something different to try and win...

02:58 PM

Lap 39 of 70 - Verstappen goes onto the medium tyres and comes out in sixth

32 laps to go on those tyres. Russell also told to box. Might he then go onto the hard tyres?

Ferrari mechanics also out...

02:57 PM

Lap 38 of 70 - Has the rain intensified?

"Everything feels extremely slippery for some reason," Norris says. A few more spots of rain on the camera. Nothing visible through the media centre windows, though. Yet.

Russell says he's struggling with the rears. Sainz not making a huge dent into his advantage, though.

In comes Verstappen...

02:56 PM

Lap 37 of 70 - Leclerc leads Russell by 4.4s

The Mercedes doesn't have the pace of the Ferrari today. That is perhaps no great surprise. He is still doing a sterling job. Sainz around 1.3s off Russell but Verstappen is closer to him. So that's a relief for Russell, I guess.

02:53 PM

Lap 36 of 70 - Full order

1. LEC

2. RUS

3. SAI

4. VER

5. HAM

6. PER

7. NOR

8. RIC

9. STR

10. OCO

11. VET

12. ALO

13. GAS

14. BOT

15. MSC

16. ZHO

17. LAT

18. MAG

19. ALB

20. TSU

02:53 PM

Lap 35 of 70 - Russell under pressure from Sainz now

I fear this will be a matter of time, too. Verstappen is now only 1.5s behind the Ferrari so will want to take advantage of this potential squabble. Tsunoda spins into last place at the chicane but gets it going again.

Half distance. 

02:51 PM

Lap 34 of 70 - No retirements yet this race

Norris and Ricciardo are running reasonable well in P7 and P8. As the fourth fastest team that is where they should be, really.

02:50 PM

Lap 33 of 70 - Leclerc leads Russell by 1.9s

Verstappen says "it's drizzling more and more". It doesn't seem to be anything significant at the moment. Yet.

Verstappen's pace is good: not far off Leclerc's pace.