Reuters
Budapest, July 24: Triple Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton won the Hungarian Grand Prix here Sunday to seize the championship lead from teammate Nico Rosberg for the first time this season.
The Briton took the chequered flag less than two seconds ahead of the German, who had lined up on pole position at the Hungaroring but lost out to Hamilton at the start in the key moment of the race.
Hamilton, who has now won in Hungary a record five times, leads Rosberg by six points after 11 of the season’s 21 races. The Briton has won five of the last six races, including the last three.
“The start was everything. This is a great result for the team. What a day,” said Hamilton. Sunday’s win was the 48th of his career and fifth of the season. Until Sunday he had shared the record for Hungary GP wins with seven times champion Michael Schumacher.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo finished third for Red Bull after pushing the Mercedes pair hard enough at one point for the champions to tell Hamilton to pick up the pace.
Ferrari’s four times World Champion Sebastian Vettel, also a previous winner in Hungary, finished fourth after sounding off over the team radio about slower cars holding him up as he lapped them.
Nico Hulkenberg took the last spot in top-10 to bring one point for Sahara Force India while Sergio Perez finished 11th, just outside the points bracket.
