Max fifth in Hungary: "Very boring race"
Published on 24 July 2016 by Stefan Meens
Max Verstappen finished the Hungarian Grand Prix in fifth. The Dutchman, once again, kept Kimi Raikkonen behind after a long fight in the closing stages of the race. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton claimed a dominant victory at the Hungaroring, finishing ahead of his Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg and Daniel Ricciardo, who clinched his second podium of 2016.
“It was a fair fight with Raikkonen”, said Max after the race. “I'm really disappointed how the race turned out. In the beginning we were quick, but we weren't able to move forward. After my first stop, I got stuck behind Raikkonen on older tyres which was pretty much the end of my race. Behind him, I killed my tyres. After my second stop, I was driving in no man's land. Really, it was a very boring race.”
Kimi Raikkone was not too pleased with Max after the Dutchman successfully defended his fifth place. “I understand Kimi wasn't happy but I just defended my position. He's the one who needs to be careful, right? But he's entitled to his own opinion.”
When the lights go out, pretty much everyone has a decent start. Yet the Red Bull's are able to creep up on the leading cars Hamilton and Rosberg. Ricciardo attempts to pass both Mercedes into turn one around the outside, but has to concede the lead to Hamilton in the run down to turn two. There, Rosberg is able to take back second place from Ricciardo who, in turn, is now chased by Max.
In the opening stages, Lewis Hamilton pulls a small gap to Rosberg with both Red Bull's matching the German's pace. Meanwhile, Jenson Button is the first 'victim' of the updated radio rules. The McLaren driver receives a drive-through penalty after the team advise him how to deal with a hydraulic issue.
Lap fifteen sees Daniel Ricciardo make his first stop. The Aussie is the first driver out of the top four to come in. Soon after, Hamilton and Max follow. The latter rejoins the race in sixth, having lost out to both Ferraris. Max is therefore stuck behind Raikkonen whilst Ricciardo, in clean air, is able to close up to the Mercedes.
Max regains P5 after Raikkonen makes his second stop of the afternoon in lap 30. Nine laps later, the Dutchman makes his final stop, rejoining in sixth, again behind the two Ferraris. Vettel is on a two-stop strategy, like the rest of the top four, whereas Raikkonen planes three visits to the pits.
In lap 50, Max receives his second warning for exceeding track limits. Soon after, Raikkonen makes his final stop. The Ferrari rejoins the race behind Max but has the advantage of the faster and fresher super-soft Pirellis. With 13 laps remaining, it therefore looks like a matter of time before the Ferrari will catch up and pass the Red Bull in fifth.
Max successfully defends Raikkonen's first attack on the main straight, but in the run to turn two, the Finn closes in on the Red Bull. In an attempt to pass Max, the Ferrari hits the RB12. Raikkonen's front wing is damaged but both cars are able to continue racing.
In the following laps, Raikkonen is desperately trying to force Max into a mistake but the 18-year-old withstands the veteran's pressure. At the very front, Hamilton soaks op the pressure put on by Rosberg whilst Ricciardo keeps Vettel at bay.
With three laps to go, Raikkonen attempts one final attack but Max successfully holds on to fifth as Hamilton takes the chequered flag ahead of Rosberg, Ricciardo and Vettel.
Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring - Sunday 24 July
RACE RESULT
01 44 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 70 1:40:30.115
02 6 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 70 +1.977s
03 3 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer 70 +27.539s
04 5 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 70 +28.213s
05 33 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer 70 +48.659s
06 7 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 70 +49.044s
07 14 Fernando Alonso McLaren Honda 69 +1 lap
08 55 Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso Ferrari 69 +1 lap
09 77 Valtteri Bottas Williams Mercedes 69 +1 lap
10 27 Nico Hulkenberg Force India Mercedes 69 +1 lap
11 11 Sergio Perez Force India Mercedes 69 +1 lap
12 30 Jolyon Palmer Renault 69 +1 lap
13 21 Esteban Gutierrez Haas Ferrari 69 +1 lap
14 8 Romain Grosjean Haas Ferrari 69 +1 lap
15 20 Kevin Magnussen Renault 69 +1 lap
16 26 Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso Ferrari 69 +1 lap
17 12 Felipe Nasr Sauber Ferrari 69 +1 lap
18 19 Felipe Massa Williams Mercedes 68 +2 laps
19 94 Pascal Wehrlein MRT Mercedes 68 +2 laps
20 9 Marcus Ericsson Sauber Ferrari 68 +2 laps
21 88 Rio Haryanto MRT Mercedes 68 +2 laps
NC 22 Jenson Button McLaren Honda 60 DNF
