Vettel Equals Senna’s Mark in Budapest

Sebastian Vettel has dedicated his victory in a riveting Hungarian Grand Prix to the late Jules Bianchi.

The drivers, joined by members of the Bianchi family, linked arms at the front of the grid to pay their respects to the Frenchman who died nine months after his devastating crash at the Japanese Grand Prix.

A minute’s silence for Bianchi, a Ferrari academy protégé, before the race created an emotional atmosphere that was reflected in the action and in Vettel’s speech to the Ferrari team on his triumphant slow-down lap.

Over the radio Vettel initially paid homage in French to Bianchi as he said: “Merci Jules”.

It was Vettel’s first victory in Hungary, and 21-year-old Kvyat’s first career podium – the best ever by a Russian driver – as Red Bull produced a reminder of their pedigree.

It was the first time this season that neither of the Mercedes cars finished on the podium.

“This one is for Jules and especially all the people in Ferrari, and we knew that sooner or later he would have been part of our team, part of this family”.

Kvyat said he owed his podium to his own determination.

The German spent the closing phase of the race battling Vettel for the win, but he crossed the line only eighth after a collision with Ricciardo in which he picked up a puncture. In my eyes this defiantly was the most outstanding race of the year so far and I hope the excitement continues.

“I left it all on the track today”.

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso also posted McLaren Honda team’s best result of the year in fifth place, with his teammate Jenson Button in ninth.

Indeed Hamilton had slumped to fourth, and in a bid to pass Rosberg at the chicane, he slid off the track and a trip across the gravel ensued. The bad start continued for Hamilton as he went off course at the beginning and fell back to 10th, with the Ferrari’s being one and two and Rosberg following them.

“The auto was hard but great to drive, and it has been a great race, we showed great pace, so thanks to the team for the recovery since Friday”. As the field closed up, both Rosberg and Hamilton pitted for harder medium tyres for a final rush to the flag.

It was his final significant act. After the drive-through penalty, he was 15th.

On the restart, Hamilton was sluggish to get away, and with Ricciardo bidding to overtake the Briton at turn one, Hamilton lost control of his Mercedes under braking and hit the Red Bull. He sustained damage to his front wing.

“I was all over the place”.

“I don’t have any words to explain what happened today”.