Unlikely Win for Ocon as Hamilton Battles from Last to Podium Finish
A rare Mercedes error thwarted Lewis Hamilton’s chance at victory during an unforgettable Hungarian Grand Prix, where Alpine’s Esteban Ocon claimed an unexpected win. Hamilton made an impressive comeback drive from last place to third, which was later upgraded to second after Sebastian Vettel’s disqualification. A sudden rain shower just before the race led to a chaotic first lap, with Valtteri Bottas’ collision causing significant damage to the field, including Hamilton’s title rival Max Verstappen.
After the 25-minute red flag, a surprising call left Hamilton alone on the grid while other drivers swapped to dry tires. This choice ultimately forced Hamilton to pit a lap later, dropping him to last. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff defended the decision, calling it a calculated risk, while Hamilton openly expressed frustration, feeling it cost him a likely win.
Despite the setback, Hamilton mounted a fierce comeback, eventually challenging rivals like Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda. A thrilling battle with Fernando Alonso saw Hamilton narrowly avoid contact, yet eventually pass both Alonso and Carlos Sainz, securing his podium finish. Though Hamilton fought hard, he finished just seconds behind Ocon, missing what would have been his 100th career victory.
Hamilton’s resilience shrank Verstappen’s previous 33-point lead to just eight points, intensifying the championship rivalry as Formula 1 heads into the summer break.
