Following his fifth career victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton became not only the most winningest driver in the history of that event. He took lead of the driver’s championship for the first time in 2016.
Having won five of the last six races, the reigning world champion has returned from oblivion, where he entered this European leg of the season 43 points in arrears of teammate Nico Rosberg.
What the Briton achieved with the spoils in Hungary was not only stripping the standings lead from his arch-rival, but deal a psychological blow which in previous campaigns the German has been unable to respond to.
Rosberg claimed pole position on the Saturday in rather controversial circumstances, which left Hamilton consigned to second place – which many will argue is the optimum place to start at the Hungaroring.
In the dying stages of Q3, a spin from McLaren’s Fernando Alonso immediately saw double yellow flags waving in that portion of the circuit. This had thwarted any hope that drivers in the moribund Spaniard’s vicinity had of bettering their lap times, as the yellow flags warranted drivers to slow down and proceed with caution.
The eventual pole sitter was the final driver to pass through the neutralised zone, yet still had enough pace in his pocket to seal himself the top spot. This triggered a string of criticism from Hamilton, who despite winning the race (quite comfortably too) and claiming maximum points, still took a jab at Rosberg for being in breach of safety.
“In the whole 23 years of racing it has been, if it’s yellow flag, you slow down, and if it is double yellow, be prepared to stop,” blasted Hamilton in the press conference following the race.
“Now Nico was doing the same speed at the apex as he was doing on the previous timed lap, so if it happened to be a car spun or a marshal on the track, it would have been pretty hard for him to stop.
“And the fact he didn’t get penalised means we have to be careful because we are sending a message not only to the drivers here but also to the drivers in the lower categories is that it’s now possible to only lose one tenth of a second in a double-waved yellow flag, which is one of the most dangerous scenarios.”
Surely a driver who has so passionately delivered a case against the actions of his Silver Arrows teammate is so driven on setting an example for safety, while at the same time grinning in triumph as Rosberg had to once again elucidate his actions in front of the press.
“I went 20km/h slower into that corner. That is a different world in an Formula One car,” defended Rosberg.
“With 20km/h you are going proper slow and everything is safe. I lifted off 30 metres before my braking point. I was just rolling there, 20km/h slower until I got to the apex.
“So definitely I significantly reduced my speed and that’s why for the stewards it was completely acceptable. On a drying track you are going to get so much quicker every time you go out there.
“So in that segment I was slower with the yellow flags, but in the big sector I’m quicker because the track is getting quicker. So it was pretty clear to the stewards and that’s why I didn’t get a penalty.”
It’s not the fact that the German had done wrong and had deserved to be penalised, it’s that Hamilton knows that playing mind games with the driver he’s known closely since their junior karting days will destabilise and force him into that shell of circumspection.
Heading into this back-half of the season, the triple-world champion knows he’ll be on the back foot with his machinery. Having had reliability woes kill his power-unit bank, there will be grid penalties to incur in the coming events for the implementation of completely new units.
This is where Rosberg must return serve. Not only must he win races, starting with his home grand prix in Germany this weekend, but assert himself psychologically over Hamilton – who even the mighty Fernando Alonso describes as being “not an easy teammate,” from their period together in 2007.
Only then can Rosberg at last etch his name into the roster of world champions before him.
Looking for great odds on racing and sport? Get into the action with PlayUp today. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
The Australian finished second but had to work for it, as he fought off food poisoning, a race day engine change, and his own overheating body.
Nico Hulkenberg's move to a German team will hopefully bring back some of the German flare Formula 1 had just seven years ago.
Given how exclusive and precious a commodity scoring an F1 point is, why is it that mediocrity should be rewarded?
Team Penske is under the same umbrella of ownership as the IndyCar Series itself, so it was imperative for to drop the hammer and protect their integrity—which, thankfully, they did.
Red Bull can’t rest on its laurels and if Perez can’t provide them with cover on the rare days that Verstappen is having trouble, it's time to look elsewhere.
The absolute vitriol against the Canadian that has come from the incident is beyond reprehensible.
