Hungarian Grand Prix (2010) RESULT

Hungary F1 2010

On the face of it more Red Bull domination on the grid, with a resurgent Ferrari snapping at their heels and McLaren a poor relation. Is that how it finished?

Back to back with the German Grand Prix, the Hungarian Grand Prix looked like it would be a backward step for the McLarens, with Hamilton wringing the neck of his McLaren (the one Ron Dennis says he can’t complain about – but should) to get a poor grid position and Button languishing back in 11th after failing to even reach the final qualifying.

The race didn’t get any better for McLaren either. They came to Hungary hoping the flexi-wing employed by Red Bull and Ferrari – which is said to be good for a second a lap – would be banned. It wasn’t, and Hungary was not a happy experience for McLaren. Hamilton’s race ended with gearbox failure and button limped home a sorry 8th.

At the front Vettel lead from the start with Alonso up behind. A safety car period had everyone jumping for the pits for a tyre change, except Webber in the Red Bull. That put him out front and that’s where he stayed, driving brilliantly to open up enough gap from Alonso and Vettel to pit and still come out in front.

Vettel’s challenge to Webber’s lead was crushed by a drive through penalty for getting too far behind Webber under the safety car, and he demonstrated once again the petulance of an adolescent in his reaction to the penalty brought about by his own mistake. Can you imagine a team with Vettel ánd Alonso in it? There wouldn’t be room in the pit for all the toys they’d throw out of their prams.

The final drama – not that there was a huge amount – came as Schumacher arrogantly tried to push Barrichello in a concrete wall as the Brazilian overtook his former nemesis. It would have been nice to see a grown up Schumacher back in F1 who knew where and when to draw the line. He still doesn’t. His move to take Barrichello out was unacceptable and should be punished.

With Webber finishing up front he now leads the drivers championship and Red Bull lead the constructors’. But there are just a handful of points splitting the top five as F1 takes a summer break.

Back in Belgium in four weeks.

Update: Schumacher has been relegated 10 grid places at Belgium for his move on Barrichello. Not enough.