01/08/2021 - Written by Caitlyn Fulton
It’s fair to say that Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix was quite the action packed race, filled with many twists and turns! BTL look back on all the key moments:
Written by Caitlyn Fulton
When the lights went out at 2pm (BST) Hamilton got a great start and was leading the race, anticipation was building as to who would come out on top, break away from the rest but it was only seconds before chaos ensued. Bottas caused quite the pile up at turn one due to late braking, taking out both Red Bulls and crashing into Norris in the process. Out came the yellow flag, not long until it was Red and the race came to a halt in order to clear many cars from impact and the debris that followed. As a result, it meant that Bottas, Perez, Stroll and Leclerc instantly retired from the race.
Solo restart
During the 20 minute break, it was announced that Norris wouldn’t be able to restart as the damage to this car was too severe and wouldn’t be repaired in time, down to Daniel Ricciardo to get McLaren into the points.
The race restarted at 14:35 continuing from lap 4. All drivers chose to pit as the rain was clearing and the track became dry.. every one but Hamilton. For the first time in F1 history, Hamilton was the only car to restart the race. Russell is in 2nd place until ordered by the FIA to give places back after undertaking in the pit lane resulting in P6. Realising Hamilton had make a mistake, by the time all drivers came to the track, Hamilton went in to pit and ended up at the back of the grid, having to fight his way back up the field. As a result and unexpected by most, Esteban Ocon was leading the Grand Prix with Vettel, Latifi, Tsunoda and Sainz following behind! Fair to say if anyone has called this line up, no one would've believed them!
It wasn't long before another retirement was called in Raikkonen, handed a 10 second time penalty for an 'unsafe release' colliding with Mazepin in the pits. Lap 14, wheel to wheel between Verstappen and Msc for 10th place, he succeeds securing the final points spot and stays P10 till the end of the race, not being able get full performance from the car due to damage when the race began.
Lewis comes into pit on lap 20 in the hope to undercut Red Bull as Max comes in lap 21.. the risk paid off for Mercedes as Lewis is seen coming out ahead of Riccardo and Verstappen exiting the pits.
Final Laps
It was a race against time between Ocon, Vettel and Alonso when to take their pit stops and reclaim their place on the grid. Alonso and Hamilton were racing wheel to wheel, Alonso did brilliantly defending Lewis during his many tries in lap 63 - 65. A lock up by Alonso causing him to go wide on track meant the overtake was possible and Hamilton took P4 and it wasn't long until Sainz was in his sights, securing P3 in lap 67.
Aston Martin showed what they're made of as Vettel took P2. A very successful day for Williams with both drivers into the points just one behind the other with Latifi in 7th and Russell 8th. Verstappen took P10, unable to get the car to maximum performance due to damage sustained when the race began. McLaren just missing out on that final points position with Ricciardo in P12. Esteban Ocon is crowned victorious with his first ever F1 win, (111th race winner!) what a brilliant result for the team, couldn't be more deserving! For most teams it's one they'll want to quickly forget but for Alpine and Williams it's certainly a day to remember and one neither team/driver team (especially Ocon) will ever forget, making history!
Original results below:
1. Ocon - (25 points)
2. Vet - (18 points)*
3. Ham - (15 points)
4. Sai - (12 points)
5. Alonso - (10 points)
6. Gas - (9 points)
7. Tsu - (6 points)
8. Lat - (4 points)
9. Rus - (2 points)
10. Ver - (1 point)
11. Rai
12. Ric
13. Msc
14. Gio
15. Maz... (DNF)
16. Nor (DNF)
17. Bot (DNF)
18. Per (DNF)
19. Lec (DNF)
20. Stroll (DNF)
Could not have asked for a better race to end the first half of the 2021 season on Sunday! Will the Belgium Grand Prix such a rollercoaster of emotions when F1 resumes for race 12 after the three week summer break on 27-29th August? Only time will tell!
*Heartbreaking for Vettel and Aston Martin as it was confirmed late on Sunday evening that he's now disqualified from the race and - 18 points due to lack of fuel when the race finished. It's a requirement that all drivers provide a 1.0 sample of fuel and unfortunately 0.3 litres was all they could take from his car. As a result, Ham takes P2 and Sainz goes up into P3.
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