Alpine’s French driver led much of the race after the initial carambola and even managed to defend himself against Vettel, to give Alpine an epic victory in Hungary
After the clash of titans at SILverstone and an interregnum between races with many exchanges of words between Hamilton and Verstappen, the Hungarian Formula 1 GP was eagerly awaited.
But the weather conditions and a big accident right at the start changed all the laps and made this GP one of the most emotional in recent years. Even Fernando Alonso went through the leadership.
Two French winners in less than a year ????????#HungarianGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/ItLPz8gMiS — Formula 1 (@F1) August 1, 2021
The previous leader until today’s match, Max Verstappen, from Red Bull, had to be content with tenth place and lost the championship lead, now being 6 points behind the Brit.
BREAKING: @OconEsteban is a Formula 1 race winner for the first time!
He finishes ahead of Sebastian Vettel (P2) and Lewis Hamilton (P3 ) after a thrilling and dramatic race in Hungary ????#HungarianGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/AGT2s3mWCO
— Formula 1 ( @F1) August 1, 2021
A completely devastating start to the race provoked a veritable whirlwind of crashes and abandonments.
Valtteri Bottas in Mercedes took off slow, crashed with Lando Norris who ended up on top of Verstappen. First round result: Bottas, Leclerc, Perez and Stroll abandoned. The race was completely undone.
Bottas gets a slow start and rear-ends Norris at Turn 1, who then cannons into Verstappen
Bottas, Leclerc, Perez and Stroll are out#HungarianGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/VwFEolQx1R
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 1, 2021
But Hamilton and Verstappen were gaining places, with the new passages through the pits.
)
Shortly after the middle of the race, the emotion in the Alpine box was total, with Ocon and Alonso occupying the first two positions. Was it a dream?
LAP 39 /70
Fernando. Alonso. Leads. ????#HungarianGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/n3PcJ5z6vK
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 1, 2021
When he reached fourth place, Hamilton made another stop and returned in fifth place, the goal of still reaching the podium was set, because at that time Verstappen was struggling in 11th place, after 5 stops , against the four in English.
He has Alonso, Sainz, Vettel and Ocon ahead of him#HungarianGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/smmJLTfVdH
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 1, 2021
Then he started a fight, first with Fernando Alonso, fourth at that time, and then with Sainz Jr, who was in third place. The defense of both the Spanish riders, Alpine and Ferrari, was epic while they managed… back behind Verstappen, with less than 10 laps to go, seemed to get just 1 point from 10th place. Would I lose command of the World Cup?
The Alpine remains ahead for the time being#HungarianGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/A9uMAxdwOS
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 1, 2021
The final was epic, with Ocon winning and giving immense joy to the entire Alpine team
Final classification
???? TOP TEN (LAP 70/70) ????
Gasly
Russell
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 1, 2021
(Writing note: Jaw in the name of Esteban Ocon corrected at 16 :35, for the mistake, our apologies)
