Vettel wins Hungarian thriller

"This victory is for Jules," said a proud Sebastian Vettel from the podium. Vettel drove a flawless, super race to take his 41st win (second for Ferrari) and equal Ayrton Senna’s race victories.

It was a stunner of a race, with plenty action & drama all round and at the end of it Daniil Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo reached podium positions for Red Bull, Max Verstappen was fourth, Fernando Alonso fifth and Jenson Button ninth!

What about Mercedes? Lewis Hamilton was sixth following contact with the Honey Badger and having to come back from 17th, while Nico Rosberg also had contact with the number 3 Red Bull and eventually finished 8th.

Before the race, it was emotional and beautiful tribute from F1 to Jules after a difficult week. Bianchi’s family was present for it, and the images proved tear-jerking.

For Scuderia Ferrari it was the perfect start, with both cars jumping Mercedes into Turn 1 and leading away, and they enjoyed a perfect 1-2 up until Kimi Raikkonen’s car suffered a power loss. Raikkonen would have to retire in a saddening moment towards the end of the race.

The race in Hungary also featured a Virtual Safety car, followed by an actual Safety car - after Nico Hulkenberg’s Force India fell apart in the main straight and went into the barriers at Turn 1.

That moment brought together the pack, and would prove key for the dramatic ending. Ricciardo and Hamilton touched; Ricciardo and Rosberg touched; Kvyat moved up to P2, the McLarens gained important places, and it was a rare podium sight - to the delight of the public.

Meanwhile it was a tough day for Lotus, as Pastor Maldonado served two drive-through penalties - and was handed a third penalty at the end, and Romain Grosjean also received a penalty, though he took the Lotus to finish 8th.

How do they stand in the Championship now? Hamilton is 21 points clear of Rosberg, who is 21 pts ahead of Vettel; In the Constructors’ standings, Mercedes is 147 pts in front of Ferrari, and McLaren now has 17 pts after season-high finish.

RACE RESULT:

1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1:46:09.985

2. Daniil Kvyat, Red Bull, +15.748

3. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, +25.084

4. Max Verstappen, Toro Rosso, +44.251

5. Fernando Alonso, McLaren, +49.079

6. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, +52.025

7. Romain Grosjean, Lotus, +58.578

8. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, +58.876

9. Jenson Button, McLaren, +67.028

10. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber, +69.130