Hamilton seals seventh Hungary Grand Prix title THE INDEPENDENT was Hamilton who ended on when to bring Hamilton in for BUDAPEST (HUNGARY), 4 AUGUST: top toclinch arecord-extend- histire change, changing their ingseventh careerwinin Hun- minds on Laps 26 and 27. (in photo) gary, whileVerstappen earned Eventually the British driver overtook a consolation point for the came in on Lap 32, but a poor near the end of the Hungar- fastest lap. pit stop — lasting 4 seconds ian Grand Prix to earn his 81st Atthestart, Hamilton quick- comparedto2.6forVerstappen's race victory ly got ahead of Bottas as they —cost Hamilton momentum. and extend his championship brushed each other and the Still, on fresh tires Hamilton lead. Finnish driver was then over- soon caught up to Verstap- The Mercedes driver is taken by both on the pen, forcing the Dutchman to now only 10 wins behind 4.4-kilometer (2.7-mile) Hun- defend his position from the seven-time F1 champion Verstappen's 20-second lead garoring circuit. Mercedes driver's attacks. On 'srecord and hefinally got past the Red Lapping two seconds slow- Lap 40, Hamilton almostgotpast of91. Bullonlap 67 of 70, havingfailed er than Vettel by Lap 6, Bottas Vertappen— first on the inside, Mercedes made astrategic to overtake him several times cameinforafrontwingchange, then on the outside—butVer- gamble with about 20 laps to earlier in the race. following contact with Leclerc's stappen kepthis coolas Hamil- go to bring Hamilton in for a finished . Bottas also had a near ton veered slightly off track second tire change, while Red behind Verstappen in third miss when overtaking Lance attacking on the outside. Bull decided to keep Verstap- placeforFerrariahead of team- Stroll, just about avoiding con- Hamilton seemed to be pen out on track in the hope mate Charles Leclerc and tact with the Racing Point dri- feeling the pressure. he could defend on a difficult McLaren's Carlos Sainz]Jr. Ver- ver. By Lap 24, Verstappen "What more can I do?" he track for overtaking. stappen held his lead from complained oflosing tire grip. asked his team on radio. It proved a Mercedes mas- under pressure Hecameinforatire changeon "Keep the pressure on," terstroke. from Hamilton and his Mer- thenextlap,comingoutahead was the blunt reply. The much quicker tires cedes teammate Valtteri Bot- of both Ferraris. "I can't keep the pressure helped Hamilton swallow up tas heading into Turn 1. But it Mercedes seemed unsure of on," Hamilton snapped back.