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  Lewis Hamilton wins record fifth Hungarian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton wins record fifth Hungarian Grand Prix

AFP
Published : Jul 25, 2016, 2:07 am IST
Updated : Jul 25, 2016, 2:07 am IST

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton of Britain sprays champagne on the podium to celebrate his victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring racetrack in Budapest on Sunday. (Photo: AP)

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton of Britain sprays champagne on the podium to celebrate his victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring racetrack in Budapest on Sunday. (Photo: AP)

Defending champion Lewis Hamilton produced a trademark triumph of pace and panache to win Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix ahead of his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg and replace him as leader of this year’s world title race.

Hamilton outpaced pole-sitter Rosberg at the start and then controlled the 70 laps with a mixture of speed and flawless judgement in sweltering heat at the Hungaroring circuit.

His victory completed a hat-trick of successes in consecutive races, was his outright record fifth in Hungary, his fifth of the season and the 48th of his career.

Rosberg came home second ahead of Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull, four-time champion Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari and Dutch teenager Max Verstappen in the second Red Bull.

Kimi Raikkonen was sixth in the second Ferrari ahead of two-time champion Fernando Alonso of McLaren and Carlos Sainz of Toro Rosso, Valtteri Bottas of Williams and Nico Hulkenberg who was 10th for Force India.

Hamilton’s win increased his points total to 192, six more than Rosberg as Ricciardo moved up to third.

“Awesome race Lewis, mega result,” said his Mercedes engineer on team radio. “Well done mate. Fantastic drive.”

Hamilton responded generously. “As always, thank you guys, so much, for your had work all weekend. This is a great result for the team.”

After the deluge in Saturday’s qualifying, the race began in searing heat with air temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius and a track temperature of 52 degrees.

Location: Hungary, Budapest