Sport
Lewis Hamilton wins Hungarian Grand Prix
A jubilant Lewis Hamilton after winning the Hungarian Grand Prix. PHOTO/AFP
Britain’s Lewis Hamilton won the Hungarian Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday for his first victory of a frustrating season and a record-equaling fourth triumph on the Hungaroring circuit.
Hamilton’s first year with Mercedes has been tricky, and he came into the race with low expectations of victory despite securing his fourth pole this season and his third in a row. “This is probably one of the most important Grand Prix wins of my career,” Hamilton said after equaling Michael Schumacher’s record of four victories here. “I hope there are many more to come.”
Hamilton managed his tires wisely to get his 22nd Grand Prix win and the first since the United States Grand Prix last November. Prior to Hungary, he had been third three times.
“We were on the back foot when we came in, I wasn’t even expecting to be on pole,” said Hamilton, who also won from pole in Hungary last year. “Four wins, that’s incredible. I love it here.”
Hamilton remains fourth overall but is likely too far behind to mount a serious title challenge as the season takes its mid-season summer break. “I hope today is the first step in [catching up] but we have a lot of races coming up,” Hamilton said. “I remember the first time I won [a race], it was an exceptional feeling. Today it was a really calming feeling when I came over the line.”
The next race is the Belgian Grand Prix on August 25.
After he won, Hamilton kissed his Mercedes and then hugged team boss Ross Brawn. When he raised the winner’s trophy, he looked emotional as he pointed to members of his team to share the moment with them.
