Hungarian Grand Prix 2009 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Lewis Hamilton delivered a masterful performance to claim his first victory of the season at the Hungarian Grand Prix, benefiting from strategic brilliance and superior tire management to beat Kimi Räikkönen and Mark Webber at the Hungaroring. The reigning champion's long-awaited triumph provided redemption after a disastrous start to the season with an uncompetitive McLaren, while also dealing a crucial blow to the championship hopes of both Red Bull drivers as Jenson Button finished a solid seventh to maintain his points lead.

Starting from fourth on the grid after Fernando Alonso claimed pole position for Renault, Hamilton executed a perfect strategy that saw him run longer than his rivals on superior tire wear. The British driver's pace on worn rubber was exceptional, allowing him to jump ahead of faster cars through the pit-stop sequence on the tight and twisty Budapest circuit. His victory showcased the wet-weather brilliance and racecraft that had made him champion in 2008, proving that despite McLaren's struggles, Hamilton remained one of F1's elite drivers. The win marked a turning point for McLaren, whose development program had finally brought performance improvements.

Räikkönen drove brilliantly to secure second place for Ferrari, giving the struggling Scuderia their best result of a miserable season, while Webber's third place meant Red Bull failed to capitalize fully on their pace advantage. Vettel retired with mechanical issues, costing him valuable championship points and allowing Button to extend his lead slightly. Button's seventh-place finish was a mature performance - recognizing Brawn lacked the pace to fight at the front, he focused on banking points and maintaining his championship cushion. The Hungarian GP demonstrated that while Red Bull were now the fastest team, reliability and consistency would determine the championship. Hamilton's victory also reminded everyone that once McLaren got their car competitive, the reigning champion would be a force in 2010.