• Lewis Hamilton crosses the line to win the Hungarian Grand Prix. AFP
    Lewis Hamilton crosses the line to win the Hungarian Grand Prix. AFP
  • Hamilton celebrates with his team. Reuters
    Hamilton celebrates with his team. Reuters
  • Hamilton salutes his Mercedes team. Reuters
    Hamilton salutes his Mercedes team. Reuters
  • Max Verstappen had plenty of support in Hungary. AFP
    Max Verstappen had plenty of support in Hungary. AFP
  • Sebastian Vettel got his second successive podium as he finished third.EPA
    Sebastian Vettel got his second successive podium as he finished third.EPA
  • Verstappen and Vettel were second and third, but neither looked chuffed with their efforts. Reuters
    Verstappen and Vettel were second and third, but neither looked chuffed with their efforts. Reuters
  • The success was Hamilton's eighth of 2019. Reuters
    The success was Hamilton's eighth of 2019. Reuters
  • It is the seventh time since 2007 that Hamilton has won in Hungary. AFP
    It is the seventh time since 2007 that Hamilton has won in Hungary. AFP
  • The podium in Hungary. AFP
    The podium in Hungary. AFP
  • Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari. EPA
    Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari. EPA
  • Verstappen, left, leads at the start as Bottas locks up. AFP
    Verstappen, left, leads at the start as Bottas locks up. AFP
  • Hamilton pressured Verstappen for much of the race and passed him on Lap 67. AFP
    Hamilton pressured Verstappen for much of the race and passed him on Lap 67. AFP
  • Verstappen led for much of the afternoon. Reuters
    Verstappen led for much of the afternoon. Reuters
  • Verstappen leads at the start of an action packed race. EPA
    Verstappen leads at the start of an action packed race. EPA
  • The rear of the field on the first lap. AFP
    The rear of the field on the first lap. AFP

Hungarian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton wins thriller at Hungaroring with late overtake on Max Verstappen


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An inspired strategy call set up Lewis Hamilton to win the Hungarian Grand Prix as he passed Max Verstappen for the lead four laps from the end.

Verstappen had led throughout but Mercedes-GP's decision to put Hamilton on a two-stop tyre strategy paid off as he out-braked Verstappen on Lap 67 of the 70-lap race in Budapest to win.

Hamilton had been unable to pass mid-race and Mercedes pitted him to give him clear air and the tactics paid off.

Verstappen complained his "tyres are dead" as Hamilton cut a 20-second deficit down in just a few laps before quickly passing the Red Bull driver at Turn 1.

Verstappen, with the race lost, pitted and had the consolation of gaining a point for the fastest lap as he finished second.

The two were the class of the field as the Ferraris of  Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc were third and fourth, both more than a minute behind Hamilton.

It was a miserable day for Hamilton's teammate Valtteri Bottas, who finished a lap down in eighth.

The Finn's front wing was damaged on the first lap in contact with Leclerc and he dropped to last after an early pit stop.

He recovered to get back in the top 10 but he is now 62 points behind Hamilton in the title standings with nine races to go.

Verstappen is third, but only seven points now behind Bottas.