Formula 1: Post-race driver grades after 2018 Hungarian Grand Prix
On to the summer break
While the 2018 Hungarian Grand Prix might not have had as many exciting moments as the German Grand Prix last week, it still had its fair share of excitement and headlines. It was Daniel Ricciardo’s turn to strike fear from the rear and battle forward in an impressive manner, and battle forward he did.
The main variable came not in the race but in the weather-stricken qualifying sessions that gave a glaring look at how some teams would be able to perform should we ever have a full wet race (we are all praying for one).
Mercedes and Ferrari showed pace in both the wet and dry. Red Bull Racing struggled incredibly in the wet, with Verstappen in seventh place and Ricciardo qualifying in 12th. To contrast, Renault Sport’s Carlos Sainz Jr. and Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly showed solid pace by qualifying in fifth and sixth, respectively.
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At the front, Lewis Hamilton enjoyed clean air while teammate Valtteri Bottas spent nearly the entire race as a roadblock to the Ferrari drivers, who were looking to at least challenge Mercedes. How much can Bottas take as he is encouraged to act as a block to keep Hamilton in the lead of the driver championship standings?
The challenge of the Hungarian Grand Prix came in the form of tire and pit strategy. Some teams tried to run consistently enough to perform a one-stop race, sacrificing outright speed with less time spent in the pits. Other teams decided to push harder and make up time and positions on the track while spending more time in the pits. Multiple teams had trouble in the pits, as the mounting of tires cost drivers valuable seconds as they sat stationary.
We now head into the summer break, which is when teams and drivers will be able to take a small break from the constant traveling circus that is Formula 1. Team members will have time to spend with their families and drivers will be able to let loose and post about whatever poor choices they make on social media.
Next. Race car drivers are held to an unfortunate double standard. dark
The next Formula 1 race is scheduled to take place in roughly one month’s time on Sunday, August 26 at the historic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot, Belgium. Will Lewis Hamilton continue to extend his lead in the driver championship standings, or will Sebastian Vettel be able to close the gap?