Max Verstappen pulls away in F1 standings after victory at Hungarian GP

Max Verstappen won the Hungarian Grand Prix, with an immense run from 10th on the grid. He and his Red Bull team pulled off an absolute coup at the Hungaroring as Ferrari were found wanting again. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell battled brilliantly in a resurgent, pacy Mercedes to claim second and third but the Scuderia’s strategy calls left drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz floundering in sixth and fourth after what had been an excellent chance to claim victory and claw back points to the Dutchman. Sergio Pérez was fifth for Red Bull.

After an afternoon that began with damage limitation the intent, Red Bull and Verstappen delivered a remarkable run, including repeated overtakes. Verstappen won despite a major spin mid-race charging to victory over a Ferrari that had been very quick here all weekend, illustrating how badly wrong they had got their strategy, especially for Leclerc. Hamilton and Russell delivered their best race of the season to take second and third for the second race in succession as Mercedes too managed them superbly in a race that was defined by the calls from the pit wall.

Verstappen’s 28th win is his first in Hungary and his eighth this season from 13 races, a formidable return with nine still to go and a body blow to the Scuderia and particularly Leclerc’s championship hopes. His lead over Leclerc in the championship which was already formidable is now a chasm. He leads by 80 points, a seemingly insurmountable advantage.

Russell on pole had to defend against a charging Sainz off the start but stoutly held his place as they exited turn one, while Hamilton made a superb start jumping from seventh to fifth. Verstappen was also already on the move, up from tenth to eighth behind the two