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This is how the British F1 press reacted to chaotic Hungarian Grand Prix

This is how the British F1 press reacted to chaotic Hungarian Grand Prix

02-08-2021 07:30
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The high-drama Hungarian Grand Prix will be remembered for a very long time. We expected a tense fight between Mercedes and Red Bull at the front of the grid, and even another on-track battle between the two World Championship rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. But after turn one, those predictions were thrown out of the window. This is how the British press reacted to the chaos that occurred around the Hungaroring

The most remarkable opening laps in History

The BBC Sport page summarises the action at the start as some of the most remarkable laps in the history of the sport. "Alpine's Esteban Ocon took a maiden Formula 1 victory in an extraordinary and madcap Hungarian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton regained the world championship lead for the first time since May after fighting back to finish third having been last five laps into the race.

"His title rival Max Verstappen was a victim of an incident-strewn wet start but managed to salvage a point for 10th place in a badly damaged Red Bull. A race featuring an opening first few laps among the most remarkable in Formula 1 history left Hamilton with a six-point lead over Verstappen as the sport goes into its three-week summer break."

Formula 1 at its best

The Guardian notes how hard Lewis Hamilton is having to fight for the World Championship in 2021. "The Formula One world championship is far from decided but, if Lewis Hamilton claims it again this season, he might rightly reflect it will have been his hardest-fought success. He finished third on track at the Hungarian Grand Prix, won brilliantly by Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and it would have felt almost a victory, so unlikely had it seemed when he had to claw his way back from last place. This was the world champion at his best, relentless, with a steadfast refusal to accept his lot in a fight that left him floored by the effort."

Hamilton struggling with long covid

In a similar style, The Telegraph highlights how Hamilton drove through the field to pick up some important points and take the lead in the World Championship. The British paper also notes the long Covid symptoms Hamilton alluded to after the race. "The seven-time world champion, 36, drove superbly to race from last to third, and ultimately second after Sebastian Vettel was later disqualified for a fuel infringement, to take the lead in the Formula One world championship following a frenetic race at the Hungaroring."

"But Hamilton was visibly struggling physically after the 70-lap race. He was assisted on to the podium, and then appeared unable to summon the strength to hold his celebratory champagne bottle. Hamilton, who contracted coronavirus in Dubai last December, and was ruled out of the subsequent Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain, was taken to see the Mercedes team doctor."

Out-of-the-blue

Sky Sports lead with a mention of Esteban Ocon's shock win the race. "Esteban Ocon claimed a totally out-of-the-blue first Formula 1 victory with Alpine after cashing in on a chaotic Hungarian GP, as Lewis Hamilton raced back from last to what eventually became second to reclaim the world title lead from Max Verstappen."

Sky Sports also highlight how Bottas was at fault for the crash at the first corner. "Bottas slammed into the back of Lando Norris' McLaren, which was in turn shunted into the side of Verstappen. The out-of-control Mercedes also crashed into Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull, with both out on the spot."

F1 grid upside down

The Mirror Sport highlight the chaos at the start as well as the strategic mistake that saw only Hamilton go to the grid for the restart. "Esteban Ocon claimed the first win of his career in what was a crazy Hungarian Grand Prix that saw Lewis Hamilton take the lead of the drivers' championship. The Alpine driver took the chequered flag ahead of Sebastian Vettel, who was unable to take Aston Martin's first win."

"The Formula One grid was tipped upside down after a chaotic first three laps that saw rain, crashes and strategic decisions that backfired. Hamilton led away from the start but team-mate Valtteri Bottas was passed by both Red Bulls and Lando Norris. However the Finn broke late heading into the first corner and, on a greasy track, slid into the back of the McLaren who subsequently hit both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez."

Hamilton left waiting

Hamilton won his 99th Grand Prix last time out at Silverstone and therefore left the chance of winning his 100th in the Hungarian edition. The Sun highlights how Hamilton might not have won, but it felt like a victory. "LEWIS HAMILTON will have to wait for his 100th victory in F1 - but the result will feel as sweet as his previous 99 wins. It was a simply stunning comeback from the world champion after being denied a win after a stupendous cock-up from his Mercedes team in what was one of the sport's most thrilling races in it's 71-year history."