Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton climbed onto the winner’s podium for the 200th time in his Formula 1 career, finishing third at the Hungaroring following a terrific duel with his former World Championship rival Max Verstappen.
Following his fabulous victory in Silverstone, Lewis Hamilton delivered another strong performance. While he mightn’t match the pace of McLaren, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion still secured a “best of the rest” finish in Hungary. He finished third, marking his 200th podium finish in a Grand Prix.
The 39-year-old Englishman displayed a scrappy drive, and his defense once morest the faster Verstappen alone was worth the price of admission for the spectators. He was visibly satisfied with his performance following the race.
The 104-time GP winner reflected on his race, saying: “First of all, congratulations to McLaren. They were my first family in Formula 1, and I’m delighted that they’re back at the top. Congratulations also to Oscar, who has shown consistently strong performances this season and has now fully deservedly won his first Grand Prix. It was clear that it would only be a matter of time before this happened.”
“Ultimately, we didn’t have the speed today to challenge for victory. And to be honest, Max in the Red Bull Racing car was actually too fast for us. I was able to follow him more or less in the first part of the race. That was a tricky task – showing the necessary pace, but at the same time taking care of the tires.”
“And everyone might see the duel with Max. It was a little hair-raising. But that’s racing. The difference in speed in certain sections of the track was unbelievable, and as a driver, you know that you’re facing a pretty difficult task. Max was much faster, especially in the last part of the track, and McLaren was also incredibly fast there.”
Regarding the collision with Max, Lewis explained: “He attacked from quite far behind, and I saw him coming. He dived to the inside, with smoking tires. I stayed on my line, and then there was a rumble. For me, it’s a racing incident, the kind that can happen in a duel like this.”
Hungarian GP, Hungaroring
01. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:38:01.989 h
02. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +2,141 sec
03. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +14,880
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +19,686
05. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, +21,349
06. Carlos Sainz (L), Ferrari, +23.073
07. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +39,792
08. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +42,368
09. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1:17,259 min
10. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1:17,976
11. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +1:22,460
12. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bulls, +1 lap
13. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1
14. Alex Albon (T), Williams, +1
15. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1
16. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, +1
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1
18. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1
19. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, +1
Out
Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, hydraulic failure
World Championship standings (following 13 of 24 Grands Prix and 3 of 6 sprints)
driver
01. Verstappen 265 points
02. Norris 189
03. Leclerc 162
04. Sainz 154
05. Plates 149
06. Hamilton 125
07. Pérez 124
08. Russell 116
09. Alonso 45
10. Stroll 24
11. Hulkenberg 22
12. Tsunoda 22
13. Ricciardo 11
14. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
15. Gasly 6
16. Magnussen 5
14. Albon 4
18. Ocon 3
19. Zhou 0
20. Sargeant 0
21. Bottas 0
Constructors’ Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 389 Punkte
02. McLaren 338
03. Ferrari 322
04. Mercedes 241
05. Aston Martin 69
06. Racing Bulls 33
07. Haas 27
08. Alpine 9
09. Williams 4
10. Sauber 0
Lewis Hamilton Secures 200th Podium Finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton’s impressive Formula 1 career continues to climb new heights, with his third-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix marking his 200th podium appearance. The seven-time world champion put in a spirited performance, battling fiercely with his old rival Max Verstappen for much of the race.
Hamilton’s Podium Finish: A Triumph of Resilience
While the victory went to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Hamilton’s determination shone through as he fought hard to secure a podium position. Despite facing a faster Verstappen in the Red Bull Racing car, Hamilton managed to stay close for a substantial part of the race, showcasing his masterful driving skills. The duel between the two champions was a highlight of the race, thrilling spectators with its intensity.
Hamilton Reflects on a “Hair-Raising” Duel
Hamilton acknowledged the speed difference between his Mercedes and Verstappen’s Red Bull, stating, “Max was much faster, especially in the last part of the track, and McLaren was also incredibly fast there.” He described the duel as “hair-raising” but maintained that it was “a racing incident, the kind that can happen in a duel like this.”
A Moment of Respect for McLaren’s Triumph
Despite his own impressive achievement, Hamilton generously congratulated the McLaren team on their resounding victory. “First of all, congratulations to McLaren,” he said. “They were my first family in Formula 1 and I’m delighted that they’re back at the top.” He also praised Oscar Piastri for his consistent performances, stating, “Congratulations also to Oscar, who has shown consistently strong performances this season and has now fully deservedly won his first Grand Prix. It was clear that it would only be a matter of time before this happened.”
Hamilton’s 200th Podium – A testament to his enduring legacy
This milestone achievement serves as a testament to Hamilton’s unwavering commitment to racing excellence. It solidifies his position among the elite drivers in Formula 1 history, emphasizing his enduring legacy. His performance in Hungary, coupled with his 200th podium, further cements his status as a true Formula 1 legend.
Hungarian Grand Prix Race Results
| Position | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oscar Piastri (AUS) | McLaren | 1:38:01.989 h |
| 2 | Lando Norris (GB) | McLaren | +2.141 sec |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton (GB) | Mercedes | +14.880 |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc (MC) | Ferrari | +19.686 |
| 5 | Max Verstappen (NL) | Red Bull Racing | +21.349 |
| 6 | Carlos Sainz (L) | Ferrari | +23.073 |
| 7 | Sergio Pérez (MEX) | Red Bull Racing | +39.792 |
| 8 | George Russell (GB) | Mercedes | +42.368 |
| 9 | Yuki Tsunoda (J) | Racing Bulls | +1:17,259 min |
| 10 | Lance Stroll (CDN) | Aston Martin | +1:17.976 |
World Championship Standings After 13 Races
| Position | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | 265 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | 189 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | 162 |
| 4 | Carlos Sainz | 154 |
| 5 | Oscar Piastri | 149 |
Constructors’ Championship Standings After 13 Races
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Bull Racing | 389 |
| 2 | McLaren | 338 |
| 3 | Ferrari | 322 |
| 4 | Mercedes | 241 |
| 5 | Aston Martin | 69 |
The Hungarian Grand Prix provided another captivating display of racing prowess, with Lewis Hamilton’s incredible 200th podium finish adding another chapter to his impressive Formula 1 journey. As the season progresses, fans will be eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Hamilton’s remarkable career, which has already left an undeniable mark on the sport’s history.
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