Off the back of four consecutive thrilling races, there is a sense of disappointment to be breaking up for Formula 1’s a♏nnual summer shutdown. 

Following breathtaking races in Austria, Silverstone and Germany, Hungary served up another captivating spectacle as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton engaged in a race-long battle for the lead, with Hamilton eventually coming out on top to take command of the championship heading into the holidays. ♎;

Her💛e are some of the m🌳ain talking points from the Hungarian Grand Prix…

Hamilton in command of title destiny

A fast-start from third on theꦰ grid and a decisive overtake around the outsi🥃de of Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas in the opening sequence of corners put Hamilton in prime position to challenge for victory in Sunday’s Hungarian GP. 

Determined to bounce back from a nightmare race at Hockenheim, Hamilton immediately found himself in contention💫 for the win in Budapest as he shadowed Verstappen’s Red Bull throughout the opening stint. 

Running longer in the first stint enabled Hamilton to put in a charge on fresher Hard tyres, but when an ambitious move around the outside of Turn 4 on Lap 3💫9 failed to pay off, it looked like Hamilton might have used up his best chance of beating Verstappen around a circuit that is notoriously difficult to pass at. 

That was until Mercedes rolled the dice on a strategy gamble that proved to be a masterstroke. Much to everyone’s surprise, including Red Bull, Mercedes called Hamilton into the pits at the end of Lap 48, taking advantage of a free pit stop such was the leading pairꦡ’s superiority over the rℱest of the field.