Lew’s got his Hungar back
LEWIS HAMILTON blew the Formula 1 title door wide open by putting his Mercedes on pole for this afternoon’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion, so often the master at the Hungaroring, delivered a spellbinding qualifying lap to silence the thousands of Max Verstappen supporters.
Verstappen could finish only third, with Valtteri Bottas joining team-mate Hamilton to form an all-Mercedes front row.
Hamilton is just eight points behind Verstappen following his controversial British Grand Prix win a fortnight ago.
And he will head into the concluding round before the summer break with the chance to take the championship lead after racing to his first pole in almost three months.
The Brit has now recorded eight poles in Hungary and will bid to become the first driver to win at the same venue on nine occasions – and in the process claim his landmark 100th win.
“Great effort, guys,” said Hamilton over the radio. “Absolutely fantastic job.” Hamilton, who was booed by Dutchman Verstappen’s ‘Orange Army’, added afterwards: “It was an amazing qualifying lap.
“The guys back at the factory have not left any stone unturned.
“I appreciate the great support we have here.
“And I have never felt so grateful for the booing. I don’t mind it. It just fuels me.”
Verstappen simply had no answer around the 14 corners that make up the slow and twisty 2.72-mile Hungaroring, finishing four-tenths behind his rival.