Vettel wins incident packed race in Hungary

Star of the race and winner

Sebastian Vettel lead practically from start to finish to claim victory in a brilliant Hungarian Grand Prix. Vettel leading all the way has a familiar ring to it, but despite his win in Malaysia earlier this year, he hasn't commanded a race like this since he won his fourth world title in 2013.

It hinged on making a great start and a great start he did indeed make. Both Mercedes for the second race in a row got off their front row grid slots in a sedentary fashion allowing the third placed Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen in the other Ferrari to power into first and second positions respectively.

Vettel was awesome though, he powered alongside Lewis Hamilton and then gradually squeezed him right, forcing the Mercedes to back off, the Ferrari braked later and he was easily through.

Sebastian had Kimi under control from the start and like he used to he gradually built a lead, reeling off fastest lap after fastest lap. From there he controlled the race until the front wing of Nico Hulkenberg's Force India collapsed for no apparent reason sending the German careering into the first turn tyre wall. It brought out the virtual safety car before the actual safety car was released to allow the marshals to clear up the debris.

It closed the pack up leaving the result on a knife edge that had looked tightly in Vettel's grasp. With both Ferrari's now on the medium slower compound tyre, rubber they didn't like and Kimi's power unit down on power due to a failure of its energy recovery system, Mercedes suddenly looked like they had a chance of a win that had looked lost.

But Vettel remained calm, I'm not sure anyone is as good at leading a race from the front. Vettel stole a march on everyone at the restart with 20 laps to go, while behind Rosberg immediately passed Kimi who later retired. Daniel Ricciardo on the soft rubber looked strong and went to pass Hamilton who in defending managed to clatter into the Red Bull requiring a front wing change and later a drive through penalty for the incident.

Ricciardo next attacked Rosberg, this time Daniel wasn't given enough room by Nico and had his front wing damaged but the Mercedes suffered a puncture and was forced to pit. It was a racing incident but Rosberg should have given the Red Bull more space.

It didn't matter to Vettel, he ticked off the laps and brought his scarlet car home for his second victory of the year, also bringing himself to just over 40 points off Hamilton's championship lead. A brilliant drive and a reminder that perhaps he's not out of the title chase yet.

The battles

There were some great battles out there this afternoon, but most to be enjoyed was the Mercedes of Hamilton climbing his way back into contention after a decidedly scruffy first lap, before having to do it all again at the restart when again he messed up.

Hamilton hasn't been at his impetuous best in recent times, his dominance of Formula 1 these past 18 months seemed to have calmed his approach, but here in Hungary he rather let himself down, even apologising to his team during the race.

He was down to fourth from pole position, and then ran wide trying to attack Rosberg into the chicane. He claimed he wasn't given room but it was a rash move leaving him down in 11th. He climbed back up to fourth by the time the safety car came out, and just as victory seemed a possibility he clattered into Ricciardo leaving him fighting to get back into the points once again. That he ended up sixth was testament to just how fast he was here this weekend at a track he loves, but no amount of speed is going to make up for some dodgy race craft. He ended the race sixth.

Rosberg was little better although he made just the one error when he too came to grief with Ricciardo, but his main problem was he just wasn't fast enough. The puncture from his touch with the Red Bull left him behind Hamilton in only 8th when he should have been slashing his team mates championship lead. Not a good day for either Mercedes driver.

The Red Bull's finally came good, but it wasn't without a bit of heat, especially when Daniil Kvyat took exception to having to allow his team mate Ricciardo through after the Australian had a slow start from fourth. In truth Ricciardo was the faster Red Bull driver all weekend, but perhaps it was justice when Ricciardo had to pit for a new nose allowing Kvyat to take his first podium with second while his team mate was relegated to third. However, if not for that bad start it's possible Ricciardo could have had a shot at victory.

Max Verstappen completed a great day for Red Bull teams in his Toro Rosso as he took a career best fourth. A brilliant drive and one he had to work for as he and his team mate Carlos Sainz fought with the McLaren's of Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button who scored a double points finish for the team with fifth and ninth respectively. Marcus Ericsson in the Sauber avoided any incident to score a point in 10th while Romain Grosjean held off Rosberg to claim seventh for Lotus.

The other Lotus of Pastor Maldonado took the award for most penalties of the day in a race littered with them for so many drivers. He managed to claim three for hitting Sergio Perez's Force India, speeding in the pit lane and overtaking under the safety car. After a few races where he looked to be finding a bit of decent form he reminds everyone why they were being so critical, not a good day.

Williams' heroics of the last few races were firmly brushed aside as the team left Hungary with no points, Valtteri Bottas suffered a puncture while Felipe Massa just never got going and was another drive to be hit with a pit lane speeding penalty.

The title chase

It could have all been so different for Rosberg, with a few laps left he was in second with his team mate barely in the points. He was so close to the championship lead ahead of Hamilton, but in the end blew it. 

It would have seemed so wrong though, in reality Hamilton has been dominating this year and for him to lose the title lead would have been odd, because in general Rosberg hasn't really been in the same race for a lot of this season.

Still it goes to show that when you're in the best car by far, there will always be chances. Vettel has brought himself back into play too, but despite what could have been, this season is Hamilton's to lose. If he puts in a few more showings like this, maybe he'll do just that.

Things of note

There's been much talk of the driver market these last few weeks. Bottas has been rumoured to be replacing Kimi at Ferrari, with other options for the seat being Ricciardo and Hulkenberg. Button is apparently in the frame to move to Williams to replace Bottas if the Ferrari deal does go ahead. While Kevin Magnussen and GP2 championship leader and McLaren young driver are in line for race seats next season too.

There was a lovely moment as the drivers formed a circle before the race to honour Jules Bianchi with a minutes silence. That they then put on the best race of the season was a perfect way to commemorate one of the bright young stars of the future who was taken far too soon.

all photo's taken from autosport.com