Scuderia Ferrari had a tremendous weekend coming in 1-2 at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel led Kimi Raikkonen across the line, helping to extend his lead in the Formula 1 Drivers Championship. Petronas Mercedes came in 3-4, with Lewis Hamilton making a gallant gesture and allowing teammate Valtteri Bottas to cross the finish line before him. The Hungaroring, known for being difficult to pass at, nonetheless gave the fans something to cheer about.
Short wheel bases are better for tight corners.
Different teams favor different tracks and while Lewis Hamilton has had much success in the past at the Hungaroring, it was the short wheel base of the Ferrari that seemed to excel this weekend.
Team Principal, Maurizio Arrivabene again forbid contact with the media until after the race and the team focused on putting the Prancing Horse out front. In practice, Kimi Raikkonen was solidly in fourth. Raikkonen had suggestions for the team regarding the setup and by the time qualifying came around the adjustments had been made. Raikkonen put his red car right behind Vettel’s and Ferrari locked out the front row during qualifying.
Mercedes didn’t have such good luck, though both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were fast. The cars seemed to be unsteady and uncomfortable to both drivers who were unable to match, let alone catch, the Ferraris. Red Bull also had hoped to mount a challenge during qualifying but neither Daniel Ricciardo nor Max Verstappen could find the right set up to make their runs stick.
The Hungarian GP was a character revealing race.
The steep, tight corners and lack of passing at the Hungaroring can create challenges like no other track can. This race was no exception and the true character of several drivers was on display. When Max Verstappen slammed into team mate Daniel Ricciardo, Ricciardo was gracious to his young team mate.
He assured the press the situation would be handled within the team but there were no real hard feelings.
Later in the race, Valtteri Bottas gave way to Lewis Hamilton as Hamilton charged after rival Sebastian Vettel. At the end of the race, when it was clear Hamilton would not catch Vettel, Hamilton gave Bottas back the position, enabling the Finn to stand on the podium.
Most of all, however, Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen worked flawlessly together to bring their two red cars home in first and second place. Throughout the course of the weekend, Vettel and Raikkonen worked over their cars, and their set ups together, creating the environment that let them come in 1-2.
The Hungarian Grand Prix was the last race before Formula 1’s summer vacation and it left fans excited for the summer break to be over. The great character of several drivers was revealed, great driving was shown on the historic and tough track, and most of all great racing led to a great finish for Scuderia Ferrari.
