Hungarian Grand Prix 2019 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Lewis Hamilton secured a masterful victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix from third on the grid, executing a perfectly-timed two-stop strategy to jump Max Verstappen and claim his eighth win at the Hungaroring. The race unfolded as a strategic chess match, with Verstappen starting from pole position and leading the opening stint while Hamilton lurked in his mirrors. The British driver's aggressive tire management and Mercedes' strategic boldness proved decisive, as Hamilton made an additional pit stop for fresh tires that allowed him to hunt down and pass Verstappen in the closing stages.

Verstappen drove brilliantly from pole position, controlling the race for much of the afternoon and setting the fastest lap at the tight, twisty Hungaroring circuit. The Dutch driver appeared set for victory on Red Bull's strongest weekend of the season, but Mercedes' two-stop strategy gamble paid off perfectly. Hamilton closed the gap relentlessly on fresher, softer tires, eventually making the decisive overtake with just a handful of laps remaining. Verstappen had no answer to Hamilton's superior pace on worn rubber, forced to watch helplessly as the Mercedes swept past to take the win and earn a bonus point for second place with the fastest lap.

Sebastian Vettel completed the podium in third for Ferrari, securing a solid result on a weekend where the Scuderia lacked the pace to challenge for victory. The German driver was involved in a first-lap incident with Bottas that sent the Mercedes driver spinning, though Vettel escaped penalty. Bottas recovered to finish eighth after the early setback. Hamilton's Hungarian victory extended his championship lead to 62 points over Bottas and 69 over Verstappen, effectively ending any remaining title suspense as the season headed into its summer break. The win also marked Hamilton's record eighth triumph at the same circuit, surpassing Michael Schumacher's record of seven wins at a single venue.